We Are Federal Criminal Appeals
Maine Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys that Make a Difference
The United States Constitution protects and regulates the manner and method in which the government investigates, prosecutes and punishes criminal behavior. Yet, the justice system is far from just. We are a Federal Criminal Appeals boutique law firm that is dedicated to the practice of Federal Criminal Appeals only. We know that Judges, prosecutors and the police make mistakes resulting in an unfair trial, conviction or sentence. Other times, they take shortcuts or turn a blind-eye in violation of Constitutional guaranteed protections. However, a final judgment is not the end of days. If you think that you or someone you love has been wrongfully convicted, you may have the right to an appeal. We can help.
Our firm focuses its federal criminal appeals practice on defending the rights of individuals and businesses convicted of federal crimes. Our federal criminal appeals attorneys are admitted to practice in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the highest court in the United States, the Supreme Court. We will fight all the way to the top if necessary to protect the constitutional rights of our clients throughout Maine including those in Augusta, Biddeford, Bangor, Portland and Lewiston. We have handled and have experience in many areas of the law including, without limitation, the following:
- Violent and major crimes including arson, explosives, firearms & ammunition offenses, bank robberies, assault on federal officials, car-jacking, kidnapping, civil rights and hate crimes violations and immigration offenses;
- Economic crimes such as public corruption, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, advance fee schemes, insurance fraud, “con man” schemes, money laundering offenses, tax offenses, securities fraud, commercial bribery, copyright infringement, environmental crimes and complex computer-related crimes;
- Health Care fraud committed by corporations and individuals including independent clinical laboratories, outpatient dialysis providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, ambulance service providers, doctors and pharmacists; and
- Organized Crime and Drug Offenses such as manufacturing, trafficking, importing, distributing, possessing and selling, as well as gang prosecutions, extortion, loan sharking and racketeering.
Contact our Maine federal criminal appeals lawyers for a free consultation at 1-800-APPEALS.
Maine Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers Protect You When Your Liberty is on the Line
So, what is an appeal? It is a formal, written request to review a federal conviction, sentence or both for legal errors. It is not a new trial or an opportunity to make a new argument. Rather, it is a formal evaluation of the criminal process and procedure to assure that due process of law was provided and adhered to as required by the Constitution of the United States of America. In Maine, it is the First Circuit Court of Appeals that reviews a federal criminal appeal. The outcome of an appeal is based entirely upon a written appellate brief, which must outline the human and legal errors that led to your wrongful conviction, unfair sentence or both.
The federal criminal appeals attorneys at our firm are well-versed in these constitutional safeguards built into the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments including the following:
- Unreasonable Search and Seizures (4th Amendment);
- Right to Due Process of law, Right to Remain Silent and the Right against Double Jeopardy (5th Amendment);
- Right to a Speedy and Public Trial, the Right to Confront Witnesses and the Right to Adequate Legal Representation (6th Amendment); and
- Right not to be subjected to Cruel and Unusual Punishment or Excessive Sentences (8th Amendment).
Maine Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys find the Devil in the Details
What is required to appeal? First, you must first file a Notice of Appeal within 14-days of the entry of the judgment or order that you are appealing. This preserves your right to appeal. Then, you must file a statement of the issues presented on appeal within 14-days of the Notice of Appeal. Finally, you have 40-days to review the entire trial court record, outline a strategy to challenge the federal criminal conviction & sentence, conduct legal research, organize arguments and submit a written appellate brief. This is no small task. That is why it is imperative to work with experienced federal criminal appellate attorneys, like Appellate Law Office of Stephen N. Preziosi, who understand the trial court process, rules, procedures and law necessary to uncover mistakes during trial and sentencing.
Maine Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers - Perfecting Persuasive Appellate Briefs and Oral Arguments is our Passion
What are the possible outcomes of an appeal? The First Circuit Court of Appeals will either affirm the conviction, sentence or both, reverse the conviction, sentence or both or remand the case back to the trial court with instructions for a new trial or sentencing hearing. But, the outcome depends on the appellate strategy and relief requested. The federal criminal appellate attorneys at the Appellate Law Office of Stephen N. Preziosi have helped many people in seeking the following post-conviction relief:
- A new trial or hearing;
- A new or reduced sentenced;
- Leniency, clemency or a pardon;
- Overturning a judgment or conviction;
- Habeas Corpus;
- Early termination of probation; and
- Expungement and restoration of civil rights.
When necessary, and when granted by the appellate court, the federal criminal appeals attorneys at the Appellate Law Office of Stephen N. Preziosi will appear in the First Circuit Court of Appeals to discuss your case in person. This process is called oral argument, and when granted, oral argument is a very powerful tool to help the judges better understand who you are, the facts of the case, what happened in the trial court to deprive you of your constitutional rights and what can and must be done to right the wrong. We are attorneys, writers and orators, and we can and will fight for your rights.