Trusted Expungement Experts

Rocky Brancato is an AV Preeminent®-rated criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience litigating serious criminal cases across the Tampa Bay, Florida region. His practice covers the full spectrum of criminal law—from homicide, sex crimes, and aggravated child abuse to white-collar offenses, DUI, internet crimes, and complex mental health defenses. Known for his deep understanding of forensic evidence, prosecutorial discretion, and trial strategy, Brancato is frequently consulted by clients and legal professionals alike in high-stakes and high-profile cases. Before founding The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., he rose through the ranks of one of Florida’s largest public defense office to become Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office. In that role, he led over 100 attorneys and more than 200 staff, overseeing tens of thousands of felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and postconviction matters each year. His unique background in both executive leadership and frontline trial advocacy gives him uncommon insight into how the justice system functions—and where it fails. Brancato is the author of How to Choose a Major Crimes Attorney – or Any Criminal Defense Attorney for That Matter, a candid guide that helps individuals and families make informed decisions when facing criminal charges. He is also an active member of the National, Florida and Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is regularly invited to speak on issues involving sex offense litigation, expert witness strategy, and criminal justice reform in Florida. With a reputation for meticulous case preparation, strategic litigation, and strategic advocacy, Rocky Brancato is a trusted resource for authoritative commentary on criminal law, trial practice, and systemic issues in the legal system.

Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA, is a nationally recognized federal prison expert. He serves as Managing Director at Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. and Zoukis Consulting Group, where his federal criminal defense practice focuses on federal appeals, post-conviction relief, compassionate release, clemency, and Bureau of Prisons policy matters. Mr. Zoukis is the author of six books on federal criminal defense and prison policy, including The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel (Prison Legal News Publishing, 3rd ed. forthcoming 2025), Federal Criminal Defendant’s Handbook (Middle Street Publishing, forthcoming 2025), Directory of Federal Prisons (2020), Federal Prison Handbook (2017), Prison Education Guide (2017), and College for Convicts (2014). His Federal Prison Handbook received numerous awards, including the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards Gold Medal, the Next Generation Indie Book Award, and the Chanticleer Book Awards Instructional & Insightful Nonfiction Award. College for Convicts received the Eric Hoffer Book Award’s Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking book of the year. Mr. Zoukis earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the UC Davis Law Review and received both the Witkin Award and Reynoso Award for Academic Excellence. He also holds an MBA and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Adams State University. Major media outlets regularly seek his expertise. He has been quoted in CNN, Fox News, ABC News, Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg Law, and Vice News, among others. He has contributed articles to the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Prison Legal News, and Criminal Legal News. Mr. Zoukis’s Prison Law Blog was named a Top Law Blawg by the American Bar Association, and he was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Award. He has assisted hundreds of clients with federal prison preparation, in-prison advocacy, and reentry matters, and is considered a leading voice on federal prison policy nationwide. Learn more about Chris at https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/about/christopher-zoukis-federal-prison-consultant/

I bring a rare dual perspective to criminal law: 23 years as an FBI Special Agent followed by nearly a decade as a criminal defense attorney. This unique combination of federal law enforcement experience and defense advocacy gives me comprehensive insight into both sides of the criminal justice system. As owner of the Law Office of Jerry L. Garner, I represent clients facing serious criminal charges throughout Southern Indiana, including weapon offenses, white collar crimes, violent crimes, OWI/DUI, drug charges, and sex-related offenses. My FBI career spanned investigations in Alabama and Kentucky, giving me firsthand knowledge of federal investigative procedures, constitutional protections, and the inner workings of law enforcement agencies. Beyond my legal practice, I served as a professor at Kentucky Wesleyan College from 2013 to 2020, teaching courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Investigation, White Collar Crime, and Critical Issues in Policing. My academic background also includes teaching Astronomy at the collegiate level. Areas of Expertise: - Criminal Defense & Constitutional Rights – Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment protections; search and seizure law; Miranda rights - Federal Law Enforcement & FBI Procedures – Investigation techniques, evidence collection, federal prosecution processes - White Collar Crime – Fraud, corruption, financial crimes, and federal enforcement trends - Criminal Procedure – Arrest protocols, interrogation practices, courtroom procedures - Violent Crime & Drug Offenses – Defense strategies, sentencing considerations, plea negotiations - Criminal Justice Policy – Policing practices, judicial processes, reform issues Education: - JD – Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville (1988) - MS – Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia (2010) - BA – Hanover College, Indiana (1985) Professional Experience: - Owner/Attorney, Law Office of Jerry L. Garner (2017–Present) - Professor/Adjunct Professor, Kentucky Wesleyan College (2013–2020) - Special Agent (Retired), FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation (1990–2013) - Associate Attorney, Law Office of Jenner & Kemper (1989–1990)

Ray Johnson is a retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, attorney, and educator whose career spans the courtroom, the classroom, and the command post. Over nearly 30 years in state and federal law enforcement, he has led complex criminal investigations, commanded SWAT operations, overseen national shooting‑incident reviews, and managed critical incidents and mass‑casualty events across the United States. Johnson is a veteran member of the Southern Nevada law enforcement community, with deep senior‑level experience coordinating federal, state, and local responses to both crises and major planned events. He has delivered high‑impact training on active shooter behavior, ethics, and leadership to thousands of public‑safety leaders and is frequently called in after major incidents to help agencies navigate culture, accountability, and public trust. As Division Counsel in multiple FBI field offices, Johnson provided legal oversight on investigations, ethics, and compliance and helped shape the FBI’s Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide. Internationally, he has mediated between Ukrainian anti‑corruption agencies and advised on governance and rule‑of‑law issues during Operation Enduring Freedom, earning recognition from the U.S. Ambassador for advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives. Now an adjunct faculty member at UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, he focuses on how law, leadership, and policy perform under real‑world pressure. His research and writing center on use of force, investigative accountability, organizational ethics, and the intersection of policing, immigration, and civil rights. He regularly helps journalists and the public make sense of complex law‑enforcement issues. He is coauthoring two forthcoming Criminal Investigation and Criminology texts as well as a companion leadership playbook for front‑line leaders working in high‑pressure, high‑visibility environments. Johnson’s honors include multiple high‑level executive leadership awards from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, as well as recognition from U.S. diplomatic leadership for international anti‑corruption work. He continues to consult with courts, law‑enforcement agencies, and organizations on use of force, crisis leadership, and organizational culture under scrutiny.

I am a former federal defendant who went through two federal trials, including representing myself pro se during my second trial. I now work with individuals, families, and attorneys to provide clarity around parts of the federal criminal system that are rarely explained in public—particularly pre-sentence investigations (PSRs), sentencing dynamics, prison designation, and post-conviction decision-making. My perspective is based on lived experience inside the federal system rather than legal theory. I do not provide legal advice and do not practice law. I focus on how federal processes actually function in practice, how small decisions compound, and how preparation and discretion often matter more than courtroom arguments. I am available for commentary on federal sentencing mechanics, probation practices, prison conditions, and the gap between how the system is described versus how it operates.

I connect journalists and media professionals with expert voices who provide credible, insightful commentary across a range of topics, from mental health and therapy to recovery and wellness. I help stories come to life by matching the right expert with the right story, ensuring accurate, human-centered perspectives that resonate with readers. Whether you’re looking for quotes, interviews, or expert insights for your articles, I can provide timely, professional access to our network of specialists. Check some of articles/insights of my experts below:

Sipes has a lifelong professional commitment to the criminal justice system, starting as a police officer and working his way through top positions within the justice system. He retired as the Senior Public Affairs Specialist and Social Media Manager for a federal criminal justice agency. He advised presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Sipes graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Liberal Arts. He received a Master of Science degree in Criminology from the University of Baltimore. Sipes was a successful media affairs and social media manager with 35 years of national and state government experience; he accumulated multiple awards, including best government customer service, best use of technology, best teamwork, top awards for podcasting and audio, and many first-place awards for television hosting and production. Sipes has over 50 national and regional awards. He is the author of “Success With the Media,” available at Amazon. Sipes managed the most popular audio and video podcasting and social media site in the US for select crime and justice issues; he created the first state and federal podcasting series and social media sites. Sipes was the primary spokesperson for crime prevention for the federal government for 10 years as the Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention for the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and the Director of Information Services for the National Crime Prevention Council (both funded by the US Department of Justice). He co-managed the most successful public service ad campaign in the nation (McGruff the Crime Dog-Take a Bite Out of Crime). He was a Security Planner for the United States Senate, Sergeant at Arms. He started a plan to secure every Senate office beyond Washington, D.C. He was the longest-lasting Director of Public Information for the State of Maryland (Maryland Department of Public Safety); he was a former Associate Professor for Criminology and Public Affairs-University of Maryland. Sipes effectively managed thousands of media contacts and appeared on every national television and radio network multiple times; every national newspaper and wire service quoted him. He created successful state media campaigns; produced a unique and emulated style of proactive public relations; wrote and managed hundreds of publications; went from 20 to 50 percent approval in agency public opinion; he has vast experience in big-complicated agencies.

Nisan Zaghi is an Associate Attorney at Consumer Attorneys whose practice is dedicated to protecting consumers from credit-reporting errors, unfair debt-collection practices, and background-check inaccuracies under statutes such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Before joining the firm, he sharpened his litigation skills at a boutique patent-litigation practice and later represented individuals in consumer-protection cases, gaining a valuable mix of technical insight and client-focused strategy. Nisan is motivated by the belief that businesses must be held accountable when they cut corners or defraud everyday people. Restoring a client’s reputation - and often their livelihood - gives him genuine professional satisfaction. To deliver the best possible client experience, he stays readily available, answers questions promptly, and keeps each client fully informed as their case unfolds. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law on a substantial scholarship and holds a B.S. in Biology from Brooklyn College, where research-heavy coursework honed the analytical mindset he brings to complex credit-report disputes. Admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, he is positioned to litigate most consumer-protection claims arising in the Northeast. Nisan is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, staying current on developments in consumer law and collaborating with advocates across the state. Outside the office, Nisan enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending quality time with his wife and children - pursuits that keep him grounded and energized for his clients’ battles.

Chris Berg – Expert in Law Enforcement, Undercover Operations, and Crime Fiction Chris Berg is a retired police detective and award-winning author, offering expert insights into crime and policing, drawn from over two decades of law enforcement experience. A third-generation lawman, Chris began his career in 1977 in the Bay Area and quickly advanced to detective grade. He excelled in vice and intelligence, ultimately finding his niche as an undercover narcotics detective. Chris thrived conducting hand-to-hand drug buys, investigating clandestine labs, and adopting the necessary undercover personas. Later, he became a narcotics field training officer and served as a court-certified expert witness in narcotics investigations. After an injury, Chris pivoted to a corporate career, operating across the globe with key engagements in India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, etc, and often associations with MI5, MI6, and most of the US alphabet agencies. Currently, Chris co-authors the acclaimed Night Police series with Paul James Smith. The series has earned both a Claymore Award and Page Turner Award finalist recognition, with his authentic crime thrillers inspired by real events. Contact Chris via nightpolice.com or +1 408-564-9994 for expert commentary on policing, undercover work, or crime fiction.

William Berg is a securities expert at DayTrading.com with more than 20 years of experience reviewing brokers, trading platforms and the rules that sit behind them. With a legal and financial background, he has audited countless brokers and investigated thousands of trading scams and clone firms, giving him a sharp eye for what separates a trustworthy platform from a costly mistake. William holds an LL.M. from the Gothenburg School of Business, Economics and Law, where he focused on securities law and international trade. He later studied at Moscow State University, adding to a background that blends law, business administration and cross border finance. That mix gives him a solid grip on both the legal fine print and the real world mechanics of online trading. Before and alongside his editorial work, William consulted on IPOs in the Nordic market, worked with fintech startups in payments and point of sale systems, and provided localization for leading forex trading software. He has also spent years as a writer and fact checker for financial publications, using that experience to test brokers, compare trading tools and explain complicated topics without turning them into legal soup. As an active market participant, William has placed thousands of private and test trades across forex, CFDs, options and stocks, while testing different trading platforms and apps. His practical experience, paired with a deep knowledge of securities law and broker regulation, makes him well placed to comment on broker safety, platform quality, trading risks and the standards traders should expect before putting money on the line.

I am a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney with over 27 years of experience practicing exclusively in Broward County's 17th Judicial Circuit. What sets me apart is my background on both sides of the courtroom — I served as both a Broward County Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Public Defender before founding my firm. I don't just understand criminal defense theory; I know precisely how Broward prosecutors build their cases because I built them myself. My practice covers the full spectrum of criminal defense: DUI, domestic violence, theft offenses, drug charges, felonies, misdemeanors, and violations of probation. As a solo practitioner, every client works directly with me — not an associate or paralegal — from the first call through resolution. My credentials reflect decades of consistent results. I hold Avvo and Justia 10.0 ratings — the highest possible — along with a Martindale-Hubbell 4.9 rating and more than 200 five-star Google reviews from Broward County clients. I am available to comment on Florida criminal law, Broward County court procedure, DUI defense, domestic violence charges, theft prosecutions, and the realities of how the state attorney's office approaches criminal cases — from someone who has lived it on both sides for nearly three decades.

Mark Winter is a seasoned art certification expert, fine art appraiser, and expert witness, with over two decades of experience in the global art market. A former associate at Sotheby’s.com and a senior specialist at Art Authentication Experts, Inc. Since 2003, he has worked on cases spanning authentication, attribution, appraisal, and the investigation of forgery, theft, and rediscovery. Mark and his team regularly collaborate with journalists and media across print, digital, radio, and film, providing expert insight into art authentication, attribution, and market trends. Their commentary has been featured in investigative reports, documentaries, news segments, and podcasts worldwide. Offering rapid fact verification (often within 24–48 hours) and multilingual interviews in 21 languages, Mark supports timely stories with accuracy and depth.

Eric Epstein is a former senior federal agency counsel with more than three decades of experience drafting, implementing, and defending major federal legislation and regulations. Before retiring from federal service, he served as Senior Policy Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where he was a principal advisor to executive leadership, the Attorney General, and White House officials on complex regulatory, legislative, and national enforcement matters. Over a 32-year career, he drafted and helped implement major federal firearms and explosives regulations and legislation, including the firearms trafficking provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and ATF’s “Ghost Gun Rule,” which was later upheld by the United States Supreme Court. He spent 15 years in the field working alongside ATF agents and investigators on criminal and regulatory cases, providing firsthand operational insight into how federal laws are enforced in practice. He also represented ATF before industry leaders at trade conferences and executive meetings, giving him direct experience with how federal regulatory policy affects manufacturers, importers, retailers, and other regulated entities. Throughout his career, he authored dozens of federal regulations and rulings, advised members of Congress on statutory language, and worked closely with the U.S. Solicitor General in Supreme Court litigation. His work shaped administrative records, national enforcement policy, and compliance strategy across regulated industries. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, the highest honor for career federal employees, as well as the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Epstein is the founder and CEO of Commentari, an AI-based platform that helps individuals and organizations analyze legislation and agency rulemakings and draft substantive public comments grounded in the Administrative Procedure Act. His work focuses on regulatory and legislative strategy, public comment impact, and litigation risk in federal policymaking. He provides commentary on federal rulemaking, legislative drafting, administrative law, regulatory litigation risk, firearms and explosives legislation and regulation, and how federal agencies develop, defend, and enforce major policy decisions. He is available to provide clear and practical insight into complex regulatory and legislative developments. He is based in the Washington, D.C. area.

David Pinkhasov is an Associate Attorney of Consumer Attorneys. David is admitted in Courts of the State of New York and Florida. David received his J.D. from Hofstra University Law School in 2021. While attending Hofstra, David interned at the Medical Legal Partnership Clinic, where he assisted in addressing clients’ legal needs impacting their health and well-being, such as income and housing. David also interned at the Nassau County Bar Association Mortgage Foreclosure Pro Bono Project, which was geared towards providing limited representation in court mandated conferences to any Nassau County resident facing foreclosure. In addition, David co-mediated custody and visitation disputes, divorce, and other family matters as a student mediator for Hofstra’s Family Law Mediation Clinic. After graduating law school, David served as an attorney for a Real Estate law firm where he guided clients through transactions ranging from intricate leasing agreements to large-scale property acquisitions. David brings a unique blend of legal experience and approachability to every case.

Raised on a ranch, Meir cultivated a strong work ethic and compassion while tending to chickens, sheep, goats, cattle, and even donkeys. Meir's upbringing instilled values of integrity and protecting the vulnerable, shaping his approach to law. With a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Queens College and a Juris Doctorate from Maurice A. Dean School of Law, Meir's passion for justice led him to advocate for consumer rights. His diverse legal experiences, including working pro bono in Nassau County Matrimonial Court, assisting self-represented litigants navigate the complexities of divorce proceedings, and collaborating with a criminal defense attorney and in a civil litigation firm, broadened his understanding of consumer issues. As a dedicated consumer attorney, he fights against damaging and inaccurate consumer reporting and unfair and deceptive debt collection practices, drawing on his diverse background and principles of empathy and tenacity. Beyond the courtroom, Meir's interests in bodybuilding and swimming reflect his disciplined and competitive mindset, enriching his legal practice. Actively involved in community advocacy, Meir empowers others and raises awareness about their rights, driven by his commitment to positive change.

Currently providing criminal defense services in the Greater Sacramento Area. Previously employed as a District Attorney for sixteen years; retired as an Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney supervising Major Crimes, Trial Teams and the Charging Division; recognized twice as Attorney of the Year and Manager of the Year. Former Board Member of the California District Attorneys Association. Drafted Penal Code 13370 (AB 2418 2022) to increase data transparency with criminal justice. Drafted Penal Code 741 (AB 2778 2022) requiring prosecutors to use race blind charging practices.