FEDERAL SENTENCING EXPERT & CONSULTANT
U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION GUIDELINES VARIANCES MITIGATION SPECIALIST
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QUALIFICATIONS - EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & AREAS OF EXPERTISE
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor (J.D.) Law Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree,
Social Sciences
EXPERIENCE
Employed for 27 years by the United States District Court, United States Probation Office, Northern District of California, retired. Tenures included selection and appointments to act as a consultant and representative for the entire staff of the United States Probation Office, Northern District of California as:
U.S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines Specialist
Member, Probation Officers Advisory Group to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Washington, DC
Substance Abuse Specialist
- Extensive experience in all types of federal cases including regular assignment of highly specialized, complex, and high profile cases, as well as routine federal cases.
- Examples include comprehensive experience in handling all types of offenses involving drugs, the myriad types of theft and fraud offenses, including taxes and various other white collar crimes, crimes against the person and property of others, firearms, environmental violations, immigration offenses, racketeering offenses, crimes committed by organizations, as well as all others.
- Expansive experience with prosecutions involving individuals, multi-defendant conspiracies, as well as cases against organizational defendants.
- Routinely sought after by Judges and Magistrates to render professional opinions regarding a multitude of sentencing issues during countless private ex-parte meetings held at their request.
- Rare insight gained during these open and frank discussions regarding what are some of the key factors in the Court's decision-making processes and ultimate sentencing decisions.
- Professional training and experience in recognizing what the Court is concerned about regarding those with mental health and/or drug issues, how to effectively address those concerns and constuctively assist those individuals with empathy and compassion in a manner that can work to the client's benefit and become a favorable factor at sentencing.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual, including a thorough understanding of the many and varied bases for Downward Departures, and other key mitigating provisions throughout.
- Extensive and nuanced understanding of factors warranting Downward Variances under 18 U.S.C. 3553 relating to the history and characteristics of the individual as well as the nature and circumstances of the offense.
- Expertise in recognizing and effectively highlighting in writing the always unique and mitigating characteristics of each individual, as well as the mitigating and special circumstances surrounding their conduct in their particular case.
- Exceptional and persuasive written and oral communication skills.
- Expert interviewer of clients, witnesses, experts, family members, or other relevant parties.
- Knowledgeable regarding specific provisions of the First Step Act, which may lower a sentence.
- Ability to efficiently secure relevant police reports, court records, mental, health and other sensitive records, and firsthand knowledge of various other investigative steps that are taken in preparing the Presentence Report.
- Knowledgeable regarding policies and procedures of various relevant federal agencies, including specific Bureau of Prisons programs that may potentially reduce the length of the sentence imposed. Seasoned knowledge regarding how to frame and succeed with Compassionate Release requests.
- Served as a consultant for Law 360, the legal publication with more than 2.7 million readers, in connection with a high profile case involving one of the largest fraud cases in U.S. history.
- Highly regarded and respected by members of the Federal judiciary as well as members from both sides of the Bar.
AVAILABLE FOR HIRE BY. . .
- Retained attorneys and their clients.
- CJA counsels with funding approved by various United States District Courts throughout the United States.
COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN ALL STAGES OF SENTENCING
PLEA NEGOTIATIONS
- Apply the facts of the case to the various possible Guideline scenarios based upon solid knowledge and reasoning. Interpret Guideline provisions in a favorable manner that is not always obvious or even thought of, which is brought forth in a convincing, rational, and easily understood manner, and which cannot be ignored, and can then be adopted by the government with the necessary justifications. Suggest alternative lesser Guideline interpretations and/or lesser charges to aid in negotiations with prosecutors.
- Provide favorable as well as worst-case Guideline scenarios.
THE PRESENTENCE INTERVIEW
- Conduct mock interviews with clients remotely via Zoom or in person, including those in custody, in preparation for the Presentence interview. In so doing, discover and draw out germane sentencing information that may otherwise be overlooked by the probation officer or unknown to even counsel. Information gained oftentimes is key to development and presentation later in the sentencing process of relevant mitigating sentencing issues. Practice interview additionally serves to avoid unwanted disclosures or surprises during the actual Presentence interview and inclusion of damaging information in the Presentence Report.
- Point out areas the client may need to be coached about to ensure a successful presentence interview. Prepare a detailed written report of the relevant and in-depth information gained, with added highlights, insight, elaboration, and recommended actions to be taken as a result of the information obtained.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PRESENTENCE REPORT
- Review the draft Presentence Report and prepare detailed objections with supporting justifications that cannot be dismissed in order to favorably influence the presentence report writer and the prosecutor during the draft phase. Once the final Presentence Report is issued, present and address unresolved objections in a manner that is geared to ultimately and favorably persuade the Court at the sentencing hearing, or to preserve the objections as a solid basis for appeal.
THE SENTENCING MEMORANDUM
- Highly skilled expert in writing and highlighting key relevant and varied mitigating factors to be included in this all-important document in order to influence a favorable sentencing outcome.
- Provide solid reasonings and justifications for application of various mitigating Guideline provisions.
- Balance the legal approach with the humanistic perspective and include the positive and unique characteristics of each individual as well as their special circumstances. Discover and emphasize those mitigating factors the court will likely find persuasive as a basis for providing a favorable sentence.
- Develop persuasive and convincing grounds for Downward Departures and Downward Variances based upon each individual's unique case.
- Incorporate relevant provisions of the First Step Act.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- Recommend strategies for key issues and suggestions on approaches to avoid based on extensive firsthand experience and insight regarding the perceptions of the judiciary.
- Illuminate seemingly indecipherable and lengthy criminal histories, as well as the significance of certain prior criminal history offenses, involving sometimes complex and multiple scoring provisions. Criminal history categories can greatly impact not only the sentencing Guideline ranges, but also may unfairly influence the perceptions of the court, if certain criminal history information is not fully analyzed and presented with mitigating factors.
- Anticipate adversarial positions and provide counters with solid justifications to expected stances by the government, probation officer or court with respect to key issues.
- Recommend what outside information is needed and guide sources as to what contents should be included and/or avoided to insure the information is given full consideration by the court rather than being discarded or glossed over as irrelevant.
- Provide detailed research and analysis with accompanying charts regarding relevant downward Variances, median sentences and outcomes nationwide, from review of statistics and other empirical data from the United States Sentencing Commission, in order to favorably influence the sentencing court.
- Assist in the preparation of Court motions under provisions of the First Step Act and Compassionate Release with the potential to reduce various types of sentences.
TESTIMONIALS and PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
"Ann, thank you. Your attention to detail and input is extraordinarily valuable. I cannot believe I have practiced law for all these years without your guidance and assistance."
"I consider (the sentence) a great success . . . It is all due to you. I can only classify your work as spectacular. The Judge praised the exceptional analysis of the sentencing factors. If I was a more evolved human being I would have explained to the court that I was merely a muppet for you. Anyway I am eternally grateful to you . . ."
". . . Ms. Searles is an excellent and gifted writer, she has the ability to write and nail it like no other . . . her work product is impressive, persuasive, and convincing . . . she knows just what to include and what will make a difference . . ."
". . . I would never represent a client in federal court without the support of Ms. Searles . . . "
"During plea negotiations, the prosecutor opted to eliminate aggravating Guideline points after reading Ann's analysis and justification, and actually thanked me for my thorough and convincing work . . . "
"Thanks so much Ann. Your input is invaluable and way beyond my capabilities. You are remarkably helpful . . ."
". . . Ms. Searles developed a unique combination of factors to warrant a Downward Departure and Downward Variance, and which convinced the court to reduce a significant custody sentence, as was recommended by both the prosecutor and probation officer . . ."
". . . The Court actually read into the record verbatim what Ann developed and wrote supporting a Downward Variance and Downward Departure, as well as justifications for favorable interpretations of specific Guidelines . . . I have never had this happen before . . . in addition to her knowledge, her insight is invaluable . . . a true pro"
Names and contact information for these attorneys from throughout the United States is available upon request.
SERVICE AREA AND AVAILABILITY
Service area includes the entire United States.
Ability to work in person anywhere needed or remotely, including via Zoom.
Will travel to whatever location requested, including your office or to the client's location, wherever they may be, including any and all local, state or federal custodial settings.
Regular hours, or flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and holidays, or anytime at your convenience to ensure the job gets done whenever it needs to get done.