Why Do So Many Defendants Treat Their Lawyer Like a Nanny—And Stay Quiet Even When It Hurts Them?
Description
A year ago, we spoke with an executive whose lawyer told him to “get off the internet and wait.” No plan. No preparation. Just bills piling up. Meanwhile, the government was working full-time to build its case. This defendant finally realized silence wasn’t a strategy, fired that lawyer, and began creating proof of who he really was. In this episode, I walk through the email Michael Santos sent him—a framework built around values, history, and action. Judges don’t care about polished excuses; they care about evidence of growth and contribution. Family responsibilities, work history, reflections, even simple journals—all of it can humanize you in ways prosecutors never will. Mitigation is not waiting for your attorney’s next call. It’s using this time to build a record that shows authenticity, accountability, and potential for change. Hope isn’t a plan. Action is.
Justin Paperny
United States
