Sentencing Advocacy Group · Resource Library
Federal Sentencing
Knowledge Center
Clear guidance for the decisions ahead. Explore Joseph De Gregorio’s resources on sentencing preparation, the presentence report, federal prison and planning for release.
Start with the essential guides
Build your sentencing record
How Sentencing Advocacy Group documents personal history, rehabilitation and supporting evidence.
Read the guide →Prepare for the PSR interview
A practical guide to your presentence interview, with 25 preparation questions.
Read the guide →Understand what judges consider
Explore the role of preparation, rehabilitation and restitution at sentencing.
Read the guide →Prepare for federal prison
Start with surrender, medical records, daily routines and family communication.
Read the guide →Understand First Step Act credits
Learn the distinctions between earned credits, good conduct time and release placement.
Read the guide →Explore RDAP
Review admission, treatment and the separate early-release eligibility process.
Read the guide →After sentencing: choose the right legal question.
Appeals, post-conviction challenges, sentence modifications and BOP release credits address different issues. Start with the relevant guide, then discuss legal eligibility and deadlines with counsel.
Can federal sentences be reduced?
Compare court-authorized reductions, compassionate release, First Step Act credits and RDAP. Includes Joseph’s American Bar Association JustPod interview.
Explore sentence reduction routes →Can you appeal a plea deal after sentencing?
Understand waivers, Rule 11, financial terms and the records appellate counsel needs.
Review plea and appeal questions →Federal habeas corpus and Section 2255
Distinguish a challenge to a conviction or sentence from a custody-calculation dispute.
Explore habeas and post-conviction relief →Appeal a federal prison sentence
Review deadlines, sentencing-error questions, the appellate record and possible outcomes.
Read the sentence appeal guide →Browse by topic
Explore the article library
Browse the resources below, or choose a topic above to narrow your reading.
When a Rehabilitation Plan Falls Behind: Documenting Setbacks Honestly
Keep the actual chronology and tell counsel what changed
Low-Cost Sentencing Preparation: Building a Record With Available Resources
Begin with accurate reflection, existing records, realistic support and activities you can sustain
Third-Party Verification: What a Mitigation Letter Should Confirm
A verification letter should identify the writer’s role, the basis of personal knowledge and the specific conduct observed
A Monthly Rehabilitation Log for Federal Sentencing Preparation
A monthly log should distinguish completed activity, work in progress, evidence received and unresolved issues
Documenting Changes to the Environment That Enabled Misconduct
Describe concrete changes to roles, routines, access or relationships that were connected to the conduct
Community Service Before Sentencing: A Verifiable Activity Record
Document real service with dates, tasks, hours and a supervisor able to confirm the work
Ethics Courses Before Sentencing: Choosing Relevant Work
Choose educational work for its relevance to a real knowledge or practice gap, then document participation and completion accurately
How to Document an Accountability Partnership Before Sentencing
Describe who provides oversight, what they review, how often they meet and what happens when a concern arises
A Circuit-Breaker Worksheet for White-Collar Sentencing Preparation
A circuit-breaker worksheet identifies a point where a safeguard could have interrupted misconduct and records what now addresses that weakness
What Is a Personal Compliance Rebuild Plan?
A personal compliance rebuild plan identifies the patterns and failed safeguards associated with misconduct, then documents specific changes and oversight