12 Steps

When facing a serious challenge, the way we approach the problem often determines the outcome. Some people look for a quick fix—an immediate escape from their situation. Others, however, take the time to understand the full scope of the challenge, develop a long-term strategy, and take incremental steps toward a better future.

I didn’t always understand this principle. I failed to see the big picture. For example, when authorities arrested me on August 11, 1987, I knew I faced a long sentence. But instead of asking myself, “What’s the best possible outcome, and how can I work toward it?” I focused on only one thing:

• Getting out of jail as fast as possible.

That short-term mindset led me to abdicate responsibility and place all my hope in a defense attorney. I ignored reality, believing that legal maneuvers alone could solve my problem. My approach put me into a worse position rather than moving me closer to a better outcome.

As Stephen Covey wrote in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

“Begin with the end in mind.”

Had I understood the long-term consequences of my choices, I would have planned differently. I would have thought strategically about what I could do at every stage of the process to position myself for the best possible outcome.

Many years later, when I started working with my business partner Justin Paperny, we set a goal of helping other people make better decisions. We broke down the criminal justice process into 12 clear stages. These stages reflect a path through crisis, offering individuals the ability to navigate each phase with intelligence and preparation. If a person knows what’s coming, they can make smarter choices at every step.

The 12 Stages of the Criminal Justice System:

1. Precharge – Before an arrest, what steps can a person take to prepare for a potential investigation?
2. Government Investigation – What are investigators doing, and how should a person respond?
3. Charging – If prosecutors decide to bring a case, how will they charge it—through a criminal complaint, a criminal information, or a grand jury indictment?
4. Plea Negotiations – Once prosecutors bring charges, what options exist for a plea deal?
5. Mitigation Strategies – What steps can a person take to begin making things better before sentencing?
6. Presentence Investigation – What role does the probation officer play in helping the judge understand the person’s character?
7. Sentencing Hearing – What will the judge want to know before imposing a sentence?
8. Post-Conviction Relief – After sentencing, what legal remedies might be available?
9. Administrative Relief – While serving time, how can a person position themselves for early release or better conditions?
10. Community Confinement – When does someone become eligible for halfway house, home confinement, or work release?
11. Supervised Release – How can a person increase their level of liberty while under supervision?
12. Career Development – What strategies can someone use to rebuild a career and create new opportunities?

By understanding these 12 steps, a person going through the criminal justice system can take control of their future. These same principles apply to overcoming any major challenge.

• If a person wants to build financial stability, they should study the steps to increase earning capacity.
• If a person wants to lose weight, they should develop a systematic fitness and nutrition plan.
• If a person wants to become an entrepreneur, they should map out the steps to starting and scaling a business.

Success in any endeavor requires understanding the different stages of progress, developing a strategic approach, and then taking consistent action.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Incremental Progress

While in prison, I realized I needed to apply this structured approach to my own life. My plan had three pillars:

1. Getting an Education – I read, studied, and earned degrees, knowing that knowledge would create opportunities.
2. Contributing to Society – I wrote, taught, and built relationships with people who could help me after release.
3. Building a Support Network – I connected with mentors, business leaders, and professionals who could help me reintegrate into society.

Later, my priorities shifted. When I finished my sentence, I had to build an income stream, so I created a career development plan. Over time, I adjusted again—shifting my investment strategy from real estate to Bitcoin and artificial intelligence stocks. The steps changed, but the process remained the same:

• Assess the full journey ahead.
• Break it down into key phases.
• Execute with discipline at each stage.

A crisis—whether legal, financial, or personal—can feel overwhelming. But breaking it down into manageable stages gives you power.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
– Maya Angelou

Wherever you are today, define the outcome you want. Then, map out the stages that will take you there.

Better decisions today will lead to better outcomes tomorrow.

Self-Directed Learning Question:

• What challenge are you currently facing, and how can you break it into specific stages to work toward a better outcome?

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