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.
After the PSR Interview: Keeping Counsel Updated With New Evidence
Continue documenting genuine progress after the interview and send organized updates to counsel
How to Organize Questions for Your Attorney Before the PSR Interview
Use the attorney meeting to settle what is known, what is disputed, what documents are appropriate to submit and who will handle communications
A PSR Interview Preparation Plan When Time Is Short
If the interview is approaching, prioritize accurate background information, counsel-reviewed offense discussions and the most relevant available records
Mental Health History in the PSR: Preparing an Accurate Record
Work with counsel and qualified clinicians to distinguish diagnoses, symptoms, treatment history and current needs
Preparing a Truthful Substance-Use History for the PSR
Prepare an accurate substance-use and treatment history with counsel, using available records and honest recollection
Education and Employment Records for the Presentence Report
Organize school and employment history with accurate dates, completion status and supporting records
How to Discuss Other Participants Without Deflecting Responsibility
An accurate account can describe other participants while identifying your own decisions
Discussing Victim Harm in a Presentence Interview
Prepare to discuss the harm associated with your conduct accurately and in your own words, with counsel’s guidance
How to Build a Personal History Timeline for a PSR Interview
A useful PSR background timeline places family, education, employment, health and major life events in chronological order
PSR Interview Documents: What to Organize Before Meeting Probation
Prepare a dated, organized set of records that supports your background, treatment history, education, work, rehabilitation and proposed support plan