Attorney Profiles

Federal Criminal Law Center was formed in conjunction with the Law Office of Marcia G. Shein to provide consultation services to Criminal Defense Attorneys and defendants throughout the country on federal trial, plea, sentencing, appellate and post-conviction proceedings. The Law Office of Marcia G. Shein provides representation in federal trial strategies, plea bargaining, sentencing mitigation, objections to the government’s presentence report, trial and sentencing appeals, and post-conviction relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2255 and 2241 petitions.

Marcia G. Shein began working with criminal defendants and attorneys in the 1980’s on federal sentencing issues. Her background as a federal probation/parole officer, private therapist, her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, and her Juris Doctorate Degree uniquely qualify her to provide consultation and representation to defendants and defense attorneys in matters of Federal pre- and post-conviction relief throughout the country. Attorney Shein has served as an adjunct instructor of legal and psychology courses for the Criminal Justice Programs for Broward Community College and Nova University in Florida, and Troy State University in Alabama, and Kaplan University in Chicago.

Attorney Shein is a nationally recognized attorney in pre-trial, sentencing, appeals and post-conviction relief whose articles and personal interviews have been published in numerous state and national law journals. She has provided testimony before the United States Sentencing Commission and has spoken before state and national bar conventions, civic groups, and on radio and television. She has published many articles and texts on Federal criminal defense issues including “Cultural Issues in Sentencing” in Cultural Issues in Criminal Defense, published by Juris, July 2007; “Race and Crack Cocaine Offenses: Correcting a Troubling Injustice Post-Booker” in The Champion Magazine, April 2007; and “The Federal Sentencing Guidelines: A Troubling Historical Perspective” in The Federal Lawyer, May 2004.

Attorney Shein is also the editor of a self-help manual for federal prisoners as well as a monthly newsletter. She is a life member of NACDL (National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers). She is admitted in all Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Georgia, and the United States Supreme Court. She has also been admitted in the following United States District Courts: Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Georgia; the Districts of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Columbia; Eastern District of Michigan; the Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Iowa; Northern District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Florida; Eastern District of Tennessee; and the Northern and Southern District of Indiana.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

• FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW INMATE HANDBOOK, 2008 Update. Editor Marcia G. Shein, J.D., President, Federal Criminal Law Center.
• PRISON LIVING MAGAZINE, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2009, article entitled Different Formulas For Determining Loss (Relevant Conduct in Federal Cases)
• PRISON LIVING MAGAZINE, Volume 2, Issue 4, 4th Quarter, 2007, article entitled Fourth Amendment and Exclusionary Rule
• PRISON LIVING MAGAZINE, Volume 2, Issue 3, 3rd Quarter, 2007, article entitled Plea Agreement Pitfalls and Minefields
• CULTURAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL DEFENSE, 2nd Edition, edited by Linda Friedman Ramirez, July 2007, Chapter 16 Cultural Issues in Sentencing
• THE CHAMPION MAGAZINE, April, 2007, article entitled Race and Crack Cocaine Offenses: Correcting a Troubling Injustice Post-Booker
• THE FEDERAL LAWYER, May, 2004, Cover Story; The Federal Sentencing Guidelines: A Troubling Historical Perspective.
• NEWSWEEK, March, 2004, quoted in article entitled Martha’s Fall.
• THE CHAMPION MAGAZINE, July, 2001, article entitled Apprendi Arguments of Jurisdiction and Retroactivity, GRID & BEAR IT.
• COVER STORY - Sizing Up Sentences - AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION JOURNAL INTERVIEW regarding Inconsistent Use of Money Laundering Charges in Fraud Cases, Vol. 85, November, 1999.
• CULTURAL FACTORS IN CRIMINAL DEFENSE, 1999, Authored Chapter 12 on Cultural Differences in Sentencing, Developed by Federal Public Defender’s Office in Las Vegas, Nevada, René L. Valladares
• FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW INMATE HANDBOOK, published by Quill Publications. Editor Marcia G. Shein, J.D., President, Federal Criminal Law Center. 1998 to Present
• SENTENCING DEFENSE MANUAL, published by West Group. Author Marcia G. Shein. 1988 to 1998, received prestigious award for Best Legal & Accounting Text, American Publishers Association
• PRISON LIFE MAGAZINE, June-July, 1997, article entitled Habeas Corpus Reform & Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Last Bastion of Hope or Defense Attorneys’ Worst Nightmare? 1997
• CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAGAZINE, American Bar Association; article entitled Sentencing Manipulation and Entrapment, Courts Are Wary, But Admit the Possibility, Fall, 1995.
• THE CHAMPION MAGAZINE, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, A ‘Knowing, Intelligent and Voluntary’ Plea: The Justice Department’s Latest Oxymoron, Jan./Feb. 1995
• CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAGAZINE, American Bar Association; article entitled Racial Disparity In Crack Cocaine Offenses.
• THE ADVOCATE, published article entitled The Criminal Defendant and Cooperation.
• CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAGAZINE (American Bar Association), 1991 published article entitled Get the Agreement In Writing First. (Plea Agreement and Cooperation).
• Criminal Law Section Newsletter (The Florida Bar), Calendar Call (State Bar of Georgia), published article entitled The Criminal Defendant and Cooperation.
• Criminal Law Bulletin, published article entitled 1988 Sentencing Drug Offenders: The Need to Sensitize the Sentencing Judge.
• The Verdict, GTLA, published article entitled Second Draft of Sentencing Guidelines Paints Dim Picture.
• The Champion, NACDL, published article entitled Sentencing Reform. 1984-1987
• National Law Journal, published article entitled Sentencing Act's Stated Goals Seem Lost in New Draft Guidelines.
• Inside Drug Law and Texas Voice for the Defense, published article entitled Preponderance of Evidence in Criminal Law: The Double Standard.
• Contributed written testimony and appeared before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on Offender Characteristics for NACDL Sentencing Commission Liaison Committee.
• Voice for the Defense, published sentencing reform article entitled A Homeland of Confusion: A Heartland of Opportunity.
• The Georgia Defender, published article entitled 4205(b)(1), The Forgotten Sentence and No Prison Camps for Women.
• The Georgia Defender, published article entitled Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and Rule 35 Changes.
• Inside Drug Law, published article entitled 4205(b)(1), The Forgotten Sentence 1985.
• Wall Street Journal, commentary in article on DUI Alternatives for use in defense practice.
• The Expert and Law, published article entitled The Expert Witness and Sentencing Reports.
• The Champion, NACDL, Silver Anniversary issue, published article on the Federal Sentencing Memorandum: A Different Perspective.
• Texas Voice for the Defense, article entitled Minimum Mandatory Sentencing Laws .

SPEECHES AND INTERVIEWS

• SPEECH, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Georgetown Law University, Washington DC: Updates on Federal Sentencing Mitigation in White Collar Cases, November 2008
• SPEECH, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Update on Federal Sentencing Amendments and Issues, April 2008
• RADIO INTERVIEW, Ryan B. Syndicated Radio Program: Crack Cocaine and Cocaine Powder Disparities in Federal Sentencing, January 31, 2008.
• SPEECH, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Sentencing Mitigation and Beyond- Principles of Booker that Work, 2006.
• SPEECH, Orlando Bar Association: Using Sentencing & Post Conviction Mitigation Attorneys as Part of the Defense Team, 2003.
• ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, Troy State University, Criminal Justice (Evidence) CJ 4442, Term 5, Semester 1, June - July, 2001, Brunswick, Georgia
• 1 OF 15 ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CUBAN EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAM TO SHARE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM DIFFERENCES, April, 2001, Study of Cuban Court System sponsored by National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• NORML CONVENTION, Key West, Florida, December, 1998, Speech on Post-Conviction Remedies in Federal Court.
• TENNESSEE BAR ASSOCIATION, concerning “Sentencing Mitigation & Habeas Corpus Reform: Hope Needs A Life Jacket” August, 1998.
• FLORIDA BAR ASSOCIATION, Miami, Florida, update on Federal Sentencing Guidelines 1994.
• MILWAUKEE BAR ASSOCIATION, Federal Sentencing & Guideline Issues, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1995.
• NACDL Lobbying, Washington, D.C., concerning 1994 Crime Bill.
• LAWYERS WEEKLY, Interview entitled Truth In Sentencing -- Can Defendants Tell Jurors About Their Sentence?
• NAACP speech entitled Sentencing and Appellate Mitigation and Federal Sentencing Guideline Amendments, United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, Georgia, 1996.
• National Association of Sentencing Advocates (NASA) speech entitled Preventing Plea Agreement Problems.
• National Organization For Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) speech entitled Using Federal Sentencing Alternative Specialists Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines To Obtain Downward Departures.
• Alabama - Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; speech entitled How To Get Downward Departure Under The Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
• TESTIFIED before Federal Sentencing Committee as Chairperson for the Sentencing and Post Conviction Committee of NACDL regarding 1992 Federal Sentencing Amendments.
• Guest Speaker Georgia Criminal Trial Lawyers Association, Savannah, Georgia on Sentencing Reform: The Good, The Bad, and The Misunderstood.
• Guest on WEAR, Channel 3 TV, Pensacola, Florida, on Prison Overcrowding.
• Guest speaker, Rhode Island Bar Association, Providence, RI, Sentencing Reform.
• Guest speaker at National Conference on Sentencing Advocacy, Washington, D.C., on Sentencing Alternatives for Drug Offenders - Addicts and Dealers, 1989.
• Guest Speaker, Southern Criminal Justice Association, Asheville, North Carolina on Constitutionality of Sentencing Guidelines and Sentencing Alternatives for Drug Offenders.
• Guest Speaker at Wake County Academy of Trial Lawyers, Raleigh, North Carolina on Future Implications of the New Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
• Guest Speaker at Gate City Bar Association, Atlanta, Georgia, on Future Implications of the New Federal Sentencing Guidelines, 1984.
• Oral testimony for NACDL Sentencing Commission Liaison Committee on Sentencing Alternatives before the United States Sentencing Commission, Washington, D.C., 1984.
• Inside Drug Law, interview discussing 1984 Sentencing, Parole and Probation Issues.
• Atlanta Journal/Constitution, interview, Private Sentencing Design Service.
• Speaker, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association convention on Sentencing and Parole Issues.
• Speaker at Annual Florida Criminal Trial Lawyers convention on Sentencing Alternatives and the Prevention of Parole Problems.
• Guest Lecturer at Nova University Law School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Prison, Post-Conviction Relief, and Sentencing Alternatives.
• Leadership Atlanta Conference. Panel member of Judge Phillip Etheridge, Fulton County Superior Court. Topic: Sentencing and Parole Procedures.
• Speaker at Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Association seminar on Sentencing Alternatives and Prevention of Parole Problems.
• Testified before Fulton County Grand Jury, Alternatives to Prison Overcrowding in Georgia.
• Speaker, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Convention, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on Sentencing Alternatives and the Prevention of Parole Problems.
• Development & Direction, Public Access Cable TV Programming (Atlanta Channel 16) on Use and Development of More Effective Sentencing Alternatives and Treatment Plans .

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2004 to Present – KAPLAN UNIVERSITY – Adjunct Professor with the Criminal Justice Department; Teaching Introduction to Criminal Law & Introduction to Criminal Evidence
• 2001 to 2002 – TROY STATE UNIVERSITY – Adjunct Professor with the Criminal Justice Department; Teaching Introduction to Criminal Evidence
• NOVA UNIVERSITY, Davie, Florida, undergraduate psychology courses
• BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Davie, Florida, Criminal Justice and psychology courses to police officers.

COLLEGE MOCK TRIAL PROGRAMS

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Judge, 2007
• Georgia State University, Judge, 2007
• John Marshall Law School, Judge, 2007
• CHIEF JUDGE MOOT COURT COMPETITION PANEL , New York City Law School, September 2003.

MEMBERSHIPS/ACHIEVEMENTS/AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Life Member of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
• Vice-President of DeKalb County, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
• Resolution Resources Corporation, Mediation Observation, July 29, 2003
• Resolution Resources Corporation, 21 Hours Mediation Training, May 21, 2003
• Chairperson of Criminal Defense Attorney Concerns for Women for NACDL, 1996, 1997, 1998.
• Member, Georgia Bar Association.
• Chairperson of the NACDL Post Conviction Committee, 1992-1993.
• Lobbied to the U.S. Sentencing Commission encouraging changes and ideas commensurate with the multiple concerns of the justice system addressed by the sentencing guidelines and policy statements of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 (e.g., disparity in crack cocaine guidelines), 1994.
• Past Member of Advisory Board of Directors for the National Forensic Center.
• Sponsor of Civil Rights Complaint , filed USDC, Washington, D.C., “No prison camps or satellite honor camps for female offenders in the Federal Prison System”; Class Action Suit, Case No. 84-2604. 1984-1988. Disposition in favor of female inmates.