Customer Reviews

Busted By the Feds: A Manual for Defendants Facing Federal Prosecution

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This book fills a gaping hole that has existed in federal criminal law. Fassler has managed to write the seemingly impossible -- a book that simultaneously deals with all aspects of federal prosecution from the defense's point of view, while at the same time making the subject understandable to the average defendant. It is difficult to do justice his effort. Suffice it to say that I know of defense attorneys who buy this book for their clients, and then find themselves referring to it again and again for their own use.
The book is a fascinating read. The language is crisp and sharp and filled with real-life examples of the numerous traps and pitfalls that a defendant must watch out for when confronted by the government. The chapters on hiring a lawyer and preparing for the sentencing hearing alone are worth the price of the book. They are eye-openers, and I seriously doubt that they ever been presented in such a no-holds-barred fachion before.
Fassler seems to be a bit of a genius. He has also managed to include in BUSTED the entire Federal Sentencing Guidelines! The actual Guidelines Manual is over 600 pages in length, and yet as hard as I look at Fassler's version, I have to admit that it contains the critical mass of the real thing. His use of his own designed charts compacts pages and pages of law into a single readable page. It took me a minute or two to understand precisely how to use his idea, but then saw that it is amazingly reader friendly. I wonder why the government never came up with this idea and produced a similar abbridged version for defendants (and lawyers and prosecutors).
Given that the United States now has the highest prison population in its history (and percentage wise, the highest of any civilized country in the history of the world), and that the US criminal code is the size of a smnall encyclopedia and being expanded every year, well, their should be no shortage of men and woman who can profit from this book. I very much hope defendants and defense attorneys learn of BUSTED BY THE FEDS. I can't imagine a more essential book for anyone on the "wrong" side of a confrontation with the government today.

This writer, seemingly motivated does not possess the legal education to properly guide citizens accused of federal crimes. This book however does provide some interesting forms, specifically the worksheet to determing the public safety factor to address placement of an inmate. The book is certainly not for lawyers and in my opinion could cause a citizen accused to challenge his lawyer to his detriment. The old adage a little knowledge.....It is interesting to read his perspective on the system and the dialogue that he believes goes on between prosecutors and defense lawyers. Its a quick read and does provide a little insight even to a veteran litigator. If anything it will help you understand your client's feeling. Good luck to the writer as he is a true beliver and is dedicated to the defense of our citizens.

Great information. This book goes everywhere with me. When FBI questioned me I was able to understand the questions and my rights. This book is more help to me than my lawyer.