Question 1

What is pre-sentence mitigation?

Accepted Answer

“Two hundred years ago, it was likely unimaginable that almost every federal criminal case would be resolved by plea bargain.”
 - Justice Neil Gorsuch (Hunter v. United States, 2026)
 
 
Approximately 95% of federal defendants resolve their cases through a negotiated plea deal. For these defendants, the legal process can go on for years. Pre-sentence mitigation helps defendants navigate first steps, improve sentencing outcomes, and prepare for a better future.
 
“It felt like an earthquake when my drug case began in 2007. I felt disoriented and overwhelmed—with no personal experience or peer support,” explains founder Brad Rouse. “Feeling like my life was over, I struggled to get back on track. Now I use my journey to help justice-impacted people survive, adapt, and come through strong.”
 
Defendant Support does not give legal advice. We work in tandem with defense attorneys so judges see more than the government’s point-of-view. We prepare essential storytelling documents like personal narratives, character reference letters, and allocutions. We help anyone telling their story for a government process including pardon applications and immigration cases. We know how to tell the whole story the right way.
 
“I have the time, patience, and wisdom to listen,” notes Rouse. “I’ve been there. Your lawyer, probation officer, and AI chatbot have not. It takes many hours of intense work—sometimes stretching over years—to get the story right. To reach the mind and heart of a judge, the work must be done authentically and organically. AI cannot do that.”
 
Many legal cases involve conduct related to addiction, trauma, and debt. So, our work often includes recovery coaching for self-destructive behavior like drug use or excessive gambling. We want every person to finish their government process in the best possible physical, mental, and spiritual condition.
 
"Lawyers that I paid hundreds of thousands of dollars could not do what Brad was able to accomplish in a matter of days. I'm forever grateful he came into my life at just the right time.”
 - B. in California

Question 2

Who do we help?

Accepted Answer

“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
 - Oscar Wilde

Brad, Founder of Defendant Support, has worked on federal and state felony cases from Alaska to Florida to Hawaii to Maine. He’s worked with immigrant clients from Uzbekistan, Uganda, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Tunisia, India, Ghana, South Korea, China, Thailand, Mexico, Philippines, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Venezuela—plus survivors of wars and revolutions in Iran, Vietnam, Laos, and South Sudan.
 
These clients faced charges like healthcare and securities fraud, drug distribution, aggravated battery, tax evasion, labor trafficking, cyber stalking, illegal bookmaking, plus violations of anti-kickback statutes and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Brad has helped military veterans, doctors, dentists, trauma survivors, recovering addicts, plus well-known performers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and government officials.

In addition, Brad has worked on pardon applications, immigration cases, release plans, and requests for early termination of supervised release. For anyone who tells their story for a government process, Brad knows how to help.
 
Defendant Support accepts referrals from defense attorneys and mitigation specialists. We are not lawyers and work closely with experienced professionals. Thanks to donor support, we offer all our services to low-income and indigent defendants.

“You are great at what you do and literally give people another chance at life.”
 - C. in Colorado

Question 3

How much do clients pay?

Accepted Answer

Defendant Support provides donor-subsidized services. We charge on a sliding scale based on individual circumstances.

Question 4

Why help people who break the law?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, Justice Gorsuch wrote a concurrence (joined by Justices Sotomayor and Jackson) in Hunter v. United States. He noted, since the rapid increase in federal criminal laws, “Some now say there is not an adult American who has not committed one felony or another.”

People violate the law in many ways, for many reasons. Over twenty million Americans have a felony record. They are our neighbors, family members, and friends. They are a large segment of the American workforce and social fabric.

Defendant Support helps people come through the justice system in the best possible condition, for the best possible future as members of our community.

Successful re-entry starts with pre-sentence mitigation.

Question 5

How will donations be spent?

Accepted Answer

Donor contributions will pay for client services and basic operating costs. We do not have a physical office or full-time employees. We are just getting started so we’ll keep donors updated. Brad plans to do this work for decades to come.

Question 6

What about AI and privacy?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to protecting your privacy while conveying your story in an authentic human voice. As of now, AI searches and note-takers are subject to discovery and can put defendants at risk. So, Defendant Support does not record phone calls or proofread documents using AI without a client’s express permission.
 
Judges know the difference. We work from the heart and do not rely on AI.