Federal Sentencing, Prison, and Post-Conviction Lawyers

SCOPE OF OUR PRACTICE

Many defendants don’t realize until it’s too late that sentencing and prison issues are as important as the trial or plea. Together we have over 40 years of federal sentencing, corrections, and appeal experience, This has taught us that we can be most effective as lawyers by keeping our caseload small enough to give our clients significant personal attention. We have represented everyone from street dealers to corporate executives and can help you in the following areas:

• Assist in structuring plea agreements to obtain the shortest sentence possible.
• Guide the client through the presentence investigation process, to produce a presentence report that creates the best possible position for sentencing, prison placement, and early release.
• Research and prepare objections to the Presentence Report that can lower the sentencing guidelines, despite U.S. Attorney and probation officer attempts to increase them.
• Develop sentencing memoranda humanizing the client and advocating novel departure and variance grounds that judges can use without fear of being overturned.
• If a prison sentence is inevitable, identify the Bureau of Prisons facilities most beneficial to the client and his/her family and work for the client’s placement there.
• Provide the client and his family with pertinent information about prison life and visitation.
• Be personally available to answer family members’ questions once the prison term has begun.
• Draft appeal briefs seeking to overturn or reduce prison sentences, and forfeiture, fine, and restitution orders.
• Obtain hard-to-get documents from the Bureau of Prisons and other federal agencies.
• Prepare Section 2255 motions attacking sentences imposed in violation of the client’s constitutional rights.
• Seek Rule 35 motions petitioning for reduction of a client’s sentence for substantial assistance.
• Fight for early prison release for clients who suffer from terminal illness, physical or mental problems due to age, or other extraordinary and compelling reasons.
• Assist clients with prison, probation, and supervised release issues.
• Seek presidential commutations and Pardons.

EXPERIENCE

Richard began his legal career in 1973 as general counsel for the Louisiana Department of Corrections and later held the same position with Corrections Corporation of America. Since 1988, he has worked exclusively with defense attorneys and criminal defendants on all types of sentencing, appeal and post-conviction matters. His clients have included former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, Godfather of Soul James Brown and Nashville Sheriff Fate Thomas.

Richard served as an advisor to the United States Sentencing Commission from 1989 to 2009. He has also represented over 25 federal, state and local agencies in matters related to the private operation of jails and prisons.

Since 2001, Jay has concentrated on helping trial lawyers and federal defendants with sentencing and prison issues. He has handled scores of prison placement and confinement issues, and challenged the legality of federal convictions and sentences in post conviction actions. He has helped hundreds of federal inmates and their families navigate the BOP’s labyrinth of regulations. Jay is also skilled at obtaining records that the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons are reluctant to release.

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Tennessee and Louisiana [RC]
• North Carolina and Maryland [JH]
• United States Supreme Court [RC]
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 5^th Circuit [RC, JH]
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 6^th and 11^th Circuits [RC]
• Numerous Federal District Courts [RC, JH]

SENTENCING RELATED MEMBERSHIPS

• U.S. Sentencing Commission, Practitioner's Advisory Group (1989-2009)[RC]
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers [RC, JH]
• National Legal Aid and Defenders Association [JH]
• National Alliance of Sentencing and Mitigation Specialists [JH]