Thank You For Your Trust

In 1997, fresh out of federal prison, I formed David Novak Consulting, Inc. with one goal in mind. To provide products and services to those that, like me, had found themselves the focus of a federal criminal prosecution. My business plan was simple, all I had to do was think of all the information that I wish I had when I went through the process and then share it with those facing the same challenges. The business started with the book DownTime - A Guide to Federal Incarceration (now in its 9th Edition with over 20,000 copies sold) but quickly grew into more than I could have imagined. Since beginning this business I have had the distinct pleasure of working with hundreds of defendants, their families and their legal teams. I have worked on some of this country's most highly publicized white-collar cases and traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to attend various meetings, interviews and court dates on behalf of my clients. I have appeared on dozens of nationally and internationally aired TV programs, been quoted in hundreds of newspapers and magazines and been a guest on numerous radio programs.

Through it all I have never forgotten the fear, shame and humiliation of the process. I will always recall what it felt like to be judged, how intimidating the federal criminal process can be and the sheer terror of reporting to prison. In an effort to ease the challenges faced by my clients, their families and their legal teams I built a network of inmates, ex-inmates, United States Probation Officers, BOP personnel and other subject matter experts that always assured the information that I was sharing with clients was accurate and up to date. Through persistence, intuitiveness and an absolute refusal to believe that things were cast in stone, I am proud to say that I have saved my clients hundreds of man-years of incarceration. Not one of these people "got off easy", instead, they were sentenced to a term of imprisonment that was, in fact, minimally sufficient to serve the interests of justice.

After more than ten years in this business it is time for me to step away. DownTime, the book that started it all, will continue to be available through Amazon.com I'll continue to answer the mail that I receive but will no longer be working as a consultant in this field. I feel comfortable leaving the field at this time as there are several very able consultants who have earned their stripes and my respect. When looking for a consultant in this field one of the most important things to keep in mind is that for them to be effective a consultant must get to know you almost as well as you know yourself. A consultant must be honest, straightforward and, before anything else - never sell false hope. Make sure you keep these issues in mind when interviewing prospective consultants. Above all else - check references! Any competent consultant should be able to provide you with a list of cases they have worked on, attorneys that value their work and, perhaps most importantly, BOP and USPO personnel who they have worked with on behalf of their clients. If unable to provide these types of references I would suggest you look elsewhere.

To all who face the challenge of federal incarceration know that - as difficult as it is - it is temporary. My good thoughts will always be with you.