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Hospice fraud is a serious enforcement priority for Medicare, and federal regulators are under pressure to police sham entities, abusive billing, and suspect ownership structures and healthcare fraud. Recent reporting and criminal enforcement actions, particularly in California, have added to that pressure. But aggressive enforcement creates a second danger: regulators...

In federal court, some of the most important battles happen after trial—on appeal—where the focus shifts from emotion and witnesses to law, precision, and strategy. I recently argued a federal criminal appeal before the United States Court of Appeals, and the issues at stake highlight just how critical appellate advocacy...

Memphis, Tennessee – The verdict returned this week in United States v. Sanjeev Kumar closed a federal trial that bore little resemblance to the case the public was first told it was witnessing. What began as a sensational prosecution framed around sexual misconduct and human trafficking ultimately narrowed into a...

Dr. Lonnie Joseph Parker, a Texarkana physician, was recently convicted in federal court of unlawfully prescribing opioids – a so-called “pill mill” prosecution. He received a 7-year sentence after a jury found him guilty on four counts of distributing controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice. Notably, the...

Do we execute prisoners despite constitutional defects in the trial? The Supreme Court gives a silent answer in Crawford v. Mississippi. If you tell your lawyers not to admit you did it—and they do it anyway—does the Constitution guarantee you a new trial? And if that constitutional rule came after...

Constitutional attorney Ronald W. Chapman II analyzes the ongoing legal battles against President Donald Trump’s executive actions. With at least 45 lawsuits pending, challenges range from birthright citizenship to federal spending disputes and LGBTQ+ rights policies. Chapman breaks down how these cases navigate the federal court system, what early rulings...

Houston adult entertainer Chanel Nicholson takes her racial discrimination case against Houston area strip clubs all the way to the Supreme Court. Using an ancient civil rights statute that guarantees equal rights to black workers, she sued the clubs claiming that they improperly applied a quota to strippers at the...

The epic tale of Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road is not yet over. Donald Trump pardoned Ross on day 1 of his presidency. But why? What are Trump’s plans for Ulbricht. Ron Chapman explores the libertarian ideals that fueled his federal charges, the FBI’s high-stakes bust, and the ongoing battle...

Nov 12  Written By Ronald Chapman II If a federal judge sees credible evidence that someone may be innocent—or that Congress itself now says his sentence is way too long—should the judge be allowed to take that into account when deciding compassionate release? On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear Fernandez...

FRED KOREMATSU AND JAPANESE INTERNMENT DURING WWII Of the 120,000 Japanese Americans subject to relocation, exclusion and internment during World War II only 12 resisted. Fred Korematsu was one of them. Those who willingly complied with the military order to leave their homes, businesses, and way of life complied not...

As Donald Trump inches toward a potential second act in the White House, he’s also the star of another ongoing drama: his seemingly endless legal battles. From courtrooms in New York to federal judges in Florida and Washington, the ex-president and president-elect faces an array of cases that would...

Ron Chapman is a Federal Defense Attorney and Author of Unraveling Federal Criminal Investigations. He’s spent a career beating the DOJ’s most difficult cases for his clients. Ron Chapman argued United States v. Campbell in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals before Judges Davis, Clay and White. Ron argued that...

It’s been over 30 years since the Menendez brothers turned their family’s Beverly Hills mansion into a crime scene that would captivate the nation. Lyle and Erik Menendez, two young men from privilege, make the irreversible decision to turn their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, into tragic headlines. Armed with...

Michael Jeffries the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch was indicted for sex trafficking. But amidst the P. Diddy, Weinstein, Epstein, and Cosby prosecutions, are we entering an era of post-truth prosecutions where we spend time reinventing the truth to make up for our past indiscretions? Federal Defense Attorney Ronald Chapman...

This election will be contested. The playbook has already been created and the fight will be in the courts. After exhaustive research into the legal side of elections, I have a play-by-play of exactly what we will see on election day. Either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will take the...

Pete Buttigeig and the department of transportation has initiated an investigation into the major airlines and their frequent flyer loyalty programs. The purpose? To understand. Whatever that means. Ronald Chapman takes you through the nonsensical nature of this inquisition.

A prosecutor who lacks a law license, a jury that does its own research, strict liability for doctors who issue prescriptions and a crime without a harm. This is our current system of justice its getting more perverse every day. This is the unfortunate case of a physician prosecuted after...

In Betro v. United States, the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld federal healthcare fraud convictions despite improper comments that appealed to class bias, jury deliberations and use of co-conspirator plea agreements.

President Biden has announced an effort to provide for term limits for Supreme Court Justices. This is an effort that would require a constitutional amendment. Term limits will politicize a branch that must be free from influence. The Federalist Papers caution against this and the court has long been free...

In Fischer v. United States, the Supreme Court reversed a conviction for a January 6th protestor who was charged with a violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Justice Roberts wrote for the Majority in reversing the conviction. This will have a profound impact on Trump.

Scott McAfee dismissed six charges against Trump and 18 charges against others. However, Georgia Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's partial dismissal of the indictment still leaves much of the indictment intact. Fani Willis will appeal if he is not recused.

The new compassionate release law in 2023 and 2024 known as the first step act are being utilized by federal defendants to receive compassionate release from prison. However be careful filing a compassionate release petition or compassionate release letter to the judge, you may spark their anger. A new 6th...

Sorting through Donald Trump’s trial schedule while he is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination is challenging. Neil Cavuto of Fox News asked Ron to break down Trump’s trial calendar and a host of issues involving Trump’s cases in Fulton County Georgia, Miami, D.C. with Fani Willis and Jack Smith.

One word in the Supreme Court order hints at their immunity decision. The Supreme Court granted Trump's. The case is set for a decision in May or June which may impact Jack Smith’s trial date before Judge Tanya Chutkin in the District of Colombia. Jack Smith must conclude the trial...

A federal court held that a list containing names of associates, witnesses, investigators and even victims can be revealed. It will not include the names of minor victims who did not consent. The Court gave time for an appeal to keep the records private.

Colorado Supreme Court determined that Donald Trump cannot be on the primary ballot. The case is now headed to the Supreme Court where justices are almost certain to overturn Colorado and keep Donald Trump on the ballot for the 2024 presidential election primary.

In SEC v. Jarkesy the future of the federal administrative system is at issue. Jarkesy, a hedge fund manager, appears before the Supreme Court to argue that a jury trial is required before SEC and administrative agency fines. He also argues that removal protections for administrative judges is unconstitutional.

A post Ruan challenge heads to the Supreme Court. Convicted of unlawful prescribing, Dr. Roger Dale Anderson heads to the Supreme Court after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stuck down his request to apply Supreme Court Precedent. Federal Criminal Appellate Attorney Ronald W. CHAPMAN II represents Anderson in asking...

Donald Trump has been indicted and here is everything you want to know. Will Trump go to jail? Where will the case be tried? What are the charges? Federal criminal defense attorney Ronald W. Chapman II breaks down the charges.

Read the Trump Indictment Intent. It's what separates garden variety false statements from fraud. What separates an error on your taxes and tax fraud. Or routine prescribing from federal drug charges. It's a vital and important component of our legal system. When a person is accused of a criminal offense,...

Banks created a boneheaded fraud scheme that was unsuccessful. This didn’t stop the government from securing a 104 month sentence based on his “intended” amount of fraud. The 3rd Circuit disagreed with the Government finding that the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines clearly relate to the “actual” loss and not the intended...

The Supreme Court Set to Determine “GOOD FAITH” in Physician Opioid Prescribing – United States v. Ruan. Overview – United States v. Ruan and “Good Faith” The Supreme Court will decide the first cases regarding opioid prescribing since 1975: United States v Ruan and United States v. Kahn and likely United States v. Naum and determine...

Andre Thomas will be put to death after being convicted by an all white jury and being denied his sixth amendment right to effective assistance of counsel. Thomas appealed to the Supreme Court alleging that his counsel was ineffective for failing to strike the racially biased jurors who opposed inter-racial...

Ruan v. United States was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court increasing the standard needed to convict physicians of unlawful prescribing. Three months post Ruan, we are seeing a mixed bag of District Court decisions. Here is a breakdown of these trial court and appellate decisions.

On the heels of the recent decision in Ruan v. United States, a Florida pharmacy is at the steps of the Supreme Court arguing that the DEA has unconstitutionally encroached on the practice of pharmacies dispensing opioid prescriptions. Should the Supreme Court take up this challenge it would be in...

Detroit Federal Health Care Fraud Defense Attorney Secures Another Victory. A Detroit federal jury acquitted four physicians of allegations that they engaged in a $454 million dollar healthcare fraud and opioid scheme and conspiracy spanning six years. After six weens of testimony and just ten hours of deliberations the jury...

In the unanimous Supreme Court decision, Ruan v. United States, the Supreme Court struck down the application of objective standards as a vehicle for opioid prosecutions against physicians accused of unlawful prescribing. The Supreme Court paves the way for a more tailored approach to measuring physician conduct.

The CDC COVID-19 mask mandate has been declared unlawful by a federal judge in the Middle District of Florida. In a 59 page ruling, Judge Mizelle declared the mask mandate an unconstitutional exercise of government power. Airlines were quick to permit the widespread removal of masks.

In Arizona v. Youngblood the Supreme Court determined that a defendant is only entitled to dismissal based on destruction of evidence where it can show “bad faith” on the part of the police officers. ContraFed breaks down decisions since Youngblood and an approach for a successful “bad faith” spoliation argument.

Joe Exotic AKA Joseph Maldanado received relief from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that sent his case back for re-sentencing. His case reveals an endemic flaw in the US Sentencing Guidelines.

The top pick on President Biden’s very short Supreme Court nomination list goes to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson a former public defender, advisor to the sentencing commission, and D.C. District and Circuit Judge.

I’ve been waiting 10 years to see how the government attones for the circuit split in physician opioid prescribing cases, and today is the day. The Government filed its brief in Ruan v. United States, the single most important physician prescribing case of our time which will have a profound...

Two Supreme Court Justices on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum raise concerns over the lack of action of the United States Sentencing commission in resolving an important guidelines dispute.

Release Pending Appeal in Federal Court By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 Release pending appeal in federal court is possible, but it is difficult. Once a defendant has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, the presumption shifts sharply toward detention. Federal law requires more than a promising issue...

Can You Appeal After a Guilty Plea in Federal Court? By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 Yes, you can sometimes appeal after a guilty plea in federal court. But the appeal is usually narrower, more technical, and more dependent on the exact plea record than clients expect. A...

Appeal Waivers in Federal Plea Agreements By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 An appeal waiver in a federal plea agreement is powerful, but it is not magic. It can narrow appellate options dramatically, but it does not answer every question by itself. The exact wording matters. The Rule...

Petition for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc in a Federal Criminal Appeal By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 Losing a federal criminal appeal does not always mean the next move is over. In some cases, the right response is a petition for panel rehearing, rehearing en banc, or both. But...

Supreme Court Review After a Federal Criminal Appeal By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 After a federal criminal appeal is denied, some cases are candidates for Supreme Court review. Most are not. The Supreme Court does not function as a general error-correction court for every adverse circuit decision....

What Happens After a Federal Criminal Appeal Is Denied? By Ronald W. Chapman II Last reviewed: April 2026 A denied federal criminal appeal is not always the end of the case, but it is a major decision point. The next step may be panel rehearing, rehearing en banc, a petition for...

A major federal appellate decision may significantly change how the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) prosecutes pharmacies for controlled-substance violations. In Neumann’s Pharmacy, LLC v. DEA, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected the DEA’s long-standing interpretation of two key Controlled Substances Act regulations governing pharmacists: 21 C.F.R....

Defense Strategies for FDA Adulteration, Misbranding, and FDCA Prosecutions Federal criminal cases involving the Food and Drug Administration are among the most aggressive and technically complex prosecutions in the white-collar enforcement landscape. These matters are not routine regulatory disputes. They are felony criminal cases—often driven by expansive statutory theories, scientific...

Introduction Cryptocurrency has become a new frontier in federal asset forfeiture. In recent years, federal agencies have aggressively pursued pre-trial seizure of digital assets – meaning they can take control of your cryptocurrency before any criminal trial or conviction. As a result, ordinary citizens and even defense attorneys often find...

What To Do If FDA or the U.S. Attorney Contacts You The Situation—Why Detroit Shops Are Getting Scrutiny Since 2024, the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has ramped up enforcement against unauthorized flavored and disposable e-cigarettes, issuing waves of warning letters, civil money penalty (CMP) complaints, and coordinating with...

How to File a Federal Asset Seizure Claim Form When the government seizes your property—money, vehicles, or other assets—it begins what’s called an administrative forfeiture. To contest that seizure and protect your rights, you must act quickly and properly. Failing to file a claim on time means you lose your...

Federal Appeals Lawyer Ron Chapman II When a federal trial ends, it does not have to mean the end of the fight. A conviction or harsh sentence is not always the final word. In the federal system, appeals exist to correct errors, enforce constitutional protections, and ensure justice when the...

Complete Forfeiture and the Excessive Fines Clause: Federal Standards and Case Law Introduction The Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause declares that “excessive fines” shall not be imposed, but what counts as “excessive” has been a subject of evolving judicial interpretation. In recent years, American governments have increasingly relied on fines,...

I travel the country defending individuals entangled in the federal legal system, and I’ve seen the Supreme Court’s processes both enchant and frustrate clients and lawyers alike. Today, I’d like to walk you through the essentials of drafting a Supreme Court petition and seeking that almost mythical certiorari grant. We’ll...

Can You Get Bail After a Federal Indictment? Being federally indicted is a terrifying experience. You’re suddenly facing serious charges, possible prison time, and the overwhelming power of the U.S. government. One of the first questions many defendants ask is:   Can I get bail after a federal indictment? The...

Federal Criminal Defense Guide Federal Investigation Process Federal Target Letters Federal Indictments Inside the Federal Grand Jury Federal Arraignment & Pretrial Detention Cooperation & Proffer Agreements Pre-Trial Diversion Federal Crimes Federal Immunity Sentencing & Appeals

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal Criminal Defense (2025) Relief for Pardoned January 6th Defendants Relief for Pardoned January 6th Defendants Seeking a Lawsuit The sweeping pardons granted by President Donald Trump in 2025 to numerous January 6th defendants have raised questions about how those defendants might obtain additional relief beyond...

Seeking Disqualification of a Federal Judge Ronald W. Chapman II Winning Trial Attorney | Legal Analyst | Author   When to File a Motion for Judicial Bias: Understanding Your Legal Rights Understanding 28 U.S.C. § 144 Section 144 addresses situations where a party believes that the judge has a personal...

Understanding Compassionate Release: Navigating New Opportunities for Early Prison Release Introduction The concept of compassionate release enables certain inmates in federal prisons to seek early release under specific, extraordinary circumstances. This provision, primarily designed to address severe medical conditions or significant changes in family circumstances, aims to balance justice with...

How to Cross A Government Expert Witness A Battle of the Experts Federal white-collar criminal cases, when properly tried, boil down to one thing – a battle of the experts. The Government scours the country looking for a highly credentialed expert who is willing to testify and the defense scours...

Arraignment in Federal Court: A Vital Step When a federal defendant has been charged with a federal crime by a federal prosecutor, they will proceed to arraignment. Arraignment is a critical stage in any federal criminal case and must be treated seriously. Mistakes at this point can be hard to overcome and may have drastic...

How the Government Reviews Attorney Client Privileged Information Using a Filter Team After seizing material that is potentially privileged through the attorney client privilege, federal agents send the information to a “filter team” previously called a “taint team” to sift through the information and separate privileged and potentially privileged materials...

 The truth about Federal Plea Agreements What is a Federal Plea Agreement? Before we dive into plea agreements, let’s clear up some common misconceptions. Federal defendants plead guilty and most do so pursuant to a Rule 11 plea agreement. Most defendants think that in order to plead guilty they have...

 Understanding Federal Sentencing What are the Sentences for Federal Charges? Federal sentences vary based on the type of offense, severity of the offense, and prior criminal history of the defendant. Some federal sentences carry a mandatory minimum while others require the judge to determine the sentence based off of the...

The Federal Criminal Justice System Explained The first and most obvious place to begin your journey in understanding federal criminal defense and molding a strategy to effectively defend a criminal case is understanding the federal judicial system. The federal system can be daunting and intimidating. The vast resources by federal...

A fishy Case of OVER-CRIMINALIZATION In 2007, John Yates was on the hunt for red grouper off of the coast of Cortez, Fla. His boat was boarded by John Jones, a state Fish and Wildlife officer who, at the time, was working on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...

By former federal prosecutor Ronald Chapman II. The Origins of Federal Prosecution To understand the motivations of the modern prosecutor we need to take a little detour into the origins of federal prosecution. In the seventeenth – and eighteenth- century in England, a system of private prosecution prevailed. Unlike...