This article describes how use of the "Developmental Audit" tool and related court documents shaped the outcome of the life of a young Mexican man who lived a remarkable saga of resilience, in his struggle to come to the United Stated (USA) to be reunited with his mother. As a small child, strong work ethics and support of family were important survival skills he was forced to acquire. While deprived of school, the young man attempted to learn English at every opportunity, believing this would help him to come to the USA and live with his mother. As a teenager, successfully reunited with his mother and family, he began working and spent some months in ESL classes in hopes of getting a GED. Unfortunately the young man soon discovered that where he lived was a complicated network of groups, gangs, and wannabees, and in protection of a younger family member, he became involved in gang violence and was arrested. The young man's defense attorney recognized that prison was not the correct place for this now 22-year-old. The young man had a sizeable list of commendable assets that were presented by way of key findings and recommendations from the "Developmental Audit" tool. The judge's decision of a reduced sentence allowed the young man a second chance at life. In conclusion the article presents some observations of the "Developmental Audit" tool. This tool provides an assessment of risk and resilience factors in order to address two primary questions: (1) how did this individual come to this point in life, and (2) what are the potentials for prosodal outcomes? This tool has been used extensively with juveniles and young adults in justice and mental health settings. The Audit is grounded in resilience science, neuroscience, and developmental psychology. This assessment triangulates real world information from multiple data sources, including the private logic of an individual interacting in a particular social ecology at a particular stage of life.