HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ANNUAL RULE CHANGES AND GUIDELINE AMENDMENTS (AND AVOID EMBARRASSING AND COSTLY MISTAKES)

CAUTIONARY TALES ABOUT RULE CHANGES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

A couple of years ago I was on trial in the Eastern District of New York. The government called an expert. I patiently waited until the prosecutor finished asking the usual qualifying questions. Then, during voir dire I asked him in which cases he had testified over the past 4 years. There were several. I moved to exclude the expert because the recently enacted 2022 amendments to Fed. R. Crim. P. 16(a)(1)(G) had imported the rule that applied under the Fed. R. Civ. P., requiring such disclosure. The prosecutor acknowledged not being aware of the amendment. The expert was excluded.

More recently I was discussing a sentencing issue with a colleague who suggested that various Chapter 5, Part K downward departures be sought under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. I explained that the November 2024 Guideline amendments had eliminated all departures except those dealing with cooperation or refusal to cooperate under USSG 5K1.1 and 5K1.2, respectively

HOW TO ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPLETE, CURRENT SET OF FEDERAL RULES THAT WON'T BREAK YOUR BUDGET OR YOUR BACK

For years, my colleagues and I would purchase—at substantial expense—and lug around—at substantial weight—a copy of all the federal rules published by that major legal publishing company. My partner, Nick Kaizer, and I looked for an alternative. There was none. So we created one. We named it Just The Rules (pictured above). This spiral-bound, pocket-sized compendium includes all the federal rules, selected bail, immigration, and sentencing statutes, and excerpts of the Sentencing Guidelines, including the Guidelines Sentencing Table.

So, while some people still pay the exorbitant price charged for that other book, we cancelled our subscription, saved a bunch of money and added the convenience of being able to slip JTR easily into our valise or backpack, or into our pocket. It's become an instant success and is purchased each year not only by small practitioners and large firms alike, but also by federal defenders, prosecutors, and judges.

HOW MUCH?

The 2026 edition of Just The Rules is now available for just $34.95, including postage. Quantity discounts available.

WHERE DO I GET IT?

Order online here. Or call us at (212) 480-4000. We'll take your credit card information and get it out to you quickly.