Understanding the Benefits of the First Step ActDmitriy SmirnovDecember 11, 2024White Collar CrimeWhen facing federal criminal charges, selecting a defense lawyer with a deep understanding of the federal sentencing regime is critical. Federal sentencing involves complex considerations, including statutory minimum and maximum penalties, the nuanced calculations under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and important legislative reforms like the First Step Act (FSA), which expanded opportunities for sentence reductions and early release. A knowledgeableCriminal Procedure: Recent Supreme Court Rulings and Their ImplicationsDmitriy SmirnovOctober 3, 2024White Collar CrimeThe U.S. Supreme Court continues to shape the landscape of criminal procedure through recent rulings that have far-reaching consequences. Three notable cases—U.S. v. Rahimi, McElrath v. Georgia, and Smith v. Arizona—highlight ongoing debates important to criminal defendants over the Second Amendment, plea bargains, and the confrontation clause. Each decision impacts how constitutional rights are interpreted and applied in the criminalPulsifer v. U.S.Dmitriy SmirnovOctober 2, 2024White Collar CrimePulsifer v. U.S. Recently, in Pulsifer v. United States, the Supreme Court clarified the interpretation of the safety valve provision under the First Step Act. The safety valve is designed to offer relief to first-time or low-level offenders by allowing the court to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum, assuming the defendant has a limited criminal history and did