Set For Sentencing
by Doug Passon
Latest episode
From Skeptic to True Believer: A Sentencing Lawyer's AI Confession
From Skeptic to True Believer: A Sentencing Lawyer's AI Confession
About this podcast
Over a million people a year will face sentencing. For a client and their loved ones, it will be the most important day of their lives.
Unlike at trial, there is virtually no limit to the kind of information a lawyer can credibly present to advocate for their client and demonstrate their humanity at sentencing.
My passion is helping lawyers and clients craft their most compelling sentencing narratives. So, I was inspired to create this new podcast drawing on my 25+ years of criminal defense experience, my passion for storytelling, my expertise in producing mitigation videos, and my years spent consulting and developing compelling case narratives that get real results.
In Set for Sentencing, I present cutting edge resources, world-class experts, and the straight scoop on our often dysfunctional system -- all in service to one goal -- to bring more more justice, more humanity, and more hope to the sentencing process.
So, are you ready? Then let's get SET FOR SENTENCING!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 144 episodes
- From Skeptic to True Believer: A Sentencing Lawyer's AI Confession · 1 h 11 min · Episode 143Two years ago I did a podcast on A/I with Patrick Barone and Randy Olson, telling them "hell no, I won't go." It made up facts and cases, it couldn't spell, and I was certain it…
- Hot Pink Spotlight: The Clancy Mistrial Puts Women's Health on Trial (w/ Nellie King) · 1 h 1 min · Episode 142Over a million Americans face sentencing every year, and no case has put the question of criminal responsibility on trial like the Lindsay Clancy case. The country watched a…
- Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty. Here's What Happens Next. · 48 min · Episode 141When someone pleads guilty to intentionally killing another person, with premeditation, in broad daylight, it's hard to imagine anything other than a life sentence. But that's…
- BOP 2026: Crumbling, Weaponized, but (Finally) Wired? · 51 min · Episode 140Prison isn't meant to be easy and being inside is punishment. If every incarcerated human has a fair designation process, safe infrastructure, and meaningful programming, then…
- The Process is the Punishment: Hannah Dugan Sentencing Post-Mortem · 45 min · Episode 139Ideally, every sentence serves to promote respect for the law. But in an age of the most lawless DOJ in American history – respect for the law is a dead letter. The sentencing of…
- The Fate of John Bolton: Trump Doesn't Just Pick Who's Prosecuted — Now He Picks Your Prison, Too · 52 min · Episode 138Ambassador John Bolton pled guilty last week to mishandling classified information, and the plea includes a stipulation that if he receives prison, the term is no more than five…
- Manifest Injustice: Hunter, Hemani, & Buh-Bye Blanche · 59 min · Episode 137🎙️ NEW EPISODE: The Supreme Court just moved the goalposts on federal sentencing — and the next AG fight starts now. If federal defendants could trust that pleading guilty meant…
- New Compassionate Release Cases: Is the Door to Freedom Shrinking? · 1 h 15 min · Episode 136With the First Step Act of 2018 came the great hope of expanded grounds and use of "Compassionate Release." Judges were offered the promise of wider discretion to give deserving…
- "8647": A New Low for Trump's DOJ · 1 h 5 min · Episode 135It's hard to understand how someone like James Comey could be indicted for posting a picture of seashells on a beach. But, just when it seems like we arrived at the full-on DOJ…
- Negotiating Plea Agreements with Bite (Pt. II of "Straight Up No Chaser") · 46 min · Episode 134The decision whether to enter into a plea agreement with the government/state is the most important choice a client will make. But too many clients enter into bad pleas - ones…
- Pleading Straight Up, No Chaser! (Part I) · 55 min · Episode 133Pleading guilty and waiving your right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial is the most important choice a client will make in any case…
- Atkins & The IQ Fallacy: Why IQ is Not a Reliable Measure of Culpability (with Dr. Ted Lidsky) · 1 h 0 min · Episode 132The Supreme Court determined that individuals with intellectual disabilities are less culpable and should not face capital punishment. Diminished Capacity is also applied in…
- Life for Charles "Sonny" Burton: Act now to Save Sonny! · 56 min · Episode 131Charles "Sonny" Burton is a 75 year old man on Alabama's death row. But he NEVER KILLED ANYONE. He was convicted under the archaic and unjust "felony murder" rule. His more…
- What's Crackin' at the Sentencing Commission - New Proposals that Could Change the Shape of Federal Sentencing · 1 h 0 min · Episode 130Congress intended most first-time non-violent offenders receive a non-custodial sentence. That's how federal law worked before the guidelines. But, the guidelines did not fulfill…
- Absolute Power (Pt.II): Clear Messaging in the Age of the Information Maelstrom · 60 minIt's easy to get overwhelmed by the onslaught of horrible headlines. But advocates need to fight, and words are our weapons. But the problem is, lawyers are never taught how to…
- Absolute Power Pt. I: Politization and Weaponization at the DOJ (With Gary Restaino) · 55 min · Episode 128Our founders wanted US attorneys to retain significant independence from the Department of Justice. If that happens, then experienced prosecutors have the credibility, and moral…
- A Look ahead: Sentencing Developments for 2026 · 1 h 8 min · Episode 127There were big changes in federal sentencing in 2025, and more on the horizon for 2026. So enjoy the first episode of the new year, as we discuss it all with the fabulous Prof…
- For My Enemies, the Law · 45 min · Episode 126More than ever, we live in a country of selective justice. Some commit crimes with impunity and others are forced to run the gauntlet. The events of last week contain many stark…
- Year End Review (White Collar Support Presentation) · 1 h 21 min · Episode 125It's the last podcast of the year, and what better way to end than with a presentation to the amazing group, White Collar Support (www.prisonist.org). I was grateful to have the…
- Understanding Autism with Dr. Nick Dubin · 1 h 16 min · Episode 124Justice-involved autistic individuals have valuable insights for understanding criminal legal challenges related to autism. With proper support and guidance, positive outcomes…
