North Dakota Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys: Advocates With Impact
Call Us at 1-800-APPEALS
Our firm handles Federal Criminal Appeals exclusively. We are experienced in handling a broad array of Federal Criminal issues in all Federal Circuit Courts and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. When the trial is over, the verdict is guilty, and a harsh sentence has been handed down, many are left feeling that they were wrongfully convicted based on a mistake, a lack of evidence, or even that the punishment does not fit the crime. Appealing a federal criminal conviction, sentence or both is your right. This should have been explained to you at the conclusion of your federal criminal trial by the judge, as well as your attorney. However, it is likely that the appellate process and procedure were not explained to you in detail, or at all. Or worse, perhaps the entire ordeal left you feeling like nothing could be done. Don’t despair, you have options, and we can help.
A Federal Criminal conviction is not the end; there is hope, and there are options available. It is imperative to contact experienced federal criminal appeals lawyers. We can help you develop a plan for the next stage of your case. We will give you the best advice on a post conviction strategy.
We are a boutique law firm that devotes its entire practice to defending the constitutionally protected rights applicable to individual and corporate clients in complex federal criminal appeals. We are admitted to practice in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Therefore, we can represent your interests from the start of the appeal process to the end. So, whether you were convicted in Bismarck or Fargo, or elsewhere in North Dakota, our federal criminal appeals attorneys are ready to put their experience behind you. Our federal criminal appeals attorneys have experience dealing with some of the most common federal criminal convictions including the following:
- Violent crimes;
- Crimes involving sexual exploitation and pornography;
- Human trafficking;
- Crimes involving drugs, narcotics and controlled substances;
- Crimes involving alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives;
- Crimes involving fraud and deception;
- Computer and Internet crimes; and
- White collar crimes and public corruption.
Contact our North Dakota federal criminal appeals lawyers for a free consultation at 1-800-APPEALS.
North Dakota Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers Find the Flaws in the Trial Court Process
So, what is a federal criminal appeal and what are the possible outcomes? A federal criminal appeal is a formal request to a panel of judges to review your case, your sentence or both to make sure that the integrity of the judicial process was adhered to as required by the Constitution of the United States of America. Stated another way, the new panel judges assures that anyone convicted of a crime was not deprived of due process of law. But, an appeal is not a new trial. It requires you and your attorney to review the trial court proceedings to determine the human and legal errors that led to your wrongful conviction, unfair sentence or both. When successful, an appeal can result in the reversal of the conviction or sentence, a new trial or sentencing hearing and in extreme cases the prosecution might decide to dismiss their case.
Our firm has 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.
We take pride in flushing-out the faults that led to your conviction and sentence. Some of the most common issues include the following:
- Evidentiary issues involving large-scale narcotics sweeps, undercover officers, wiretaps, GPS tracking, cooperating witnesses, warrantless searches, illegal dog searches and unconstitutional searches of your home, business or curtilage (4th Amendment);
- Convictions based upon improperly admitted hearsay evidence, insufficient evidence, failure to disclose exculpatory evidence or supported by prosecutorial misconduct;
- Failure to provide due process of law, a fair trial, equal treatment, convictions based forced confessions or Miranda Rights violations or convictions that violate Double Jeopardy (5th Amendment);
- Deprival of the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to confront adverse witnesses including limited cross-examination testimony and the right to competent and effective assistance of counsel (6th Amendment); and
- Sentencing errors including misapplication of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, improper Guideline calculation, adjustments resulting in an increased or unreasonable sentence, errors involving restitution or supervised release or sentences amounting to Cruel and Unusual Punishment (8th Amendment).
North Dakota Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys Detect and Raise the Defects
The first step in a successful appeal is contacting experienced federal criminal appeals lawyers such as the Appellate Law Office of Stephen N. Preziosi. Why? Because the appellate process is complex and time-sensitive.
- You must file a Notice of Appeal within 14-days of the entry of the judgment or order that you are appealing to preserve your right to appeal;
- You must file a statement of the issues presented on appeal within 14-days of the Notice of Appeal; and
- You must file an appellate brief with the court and serve it upon the government within 40-days after filing record on appeal. However, this deadline may be extended by motion to the court.
It is in this appellate brief that you must outline the Constitutional issues, violations and other errors that resulted in your improper federal criminal conviction, sentence or both. Our federal criminal appeals lawyers combine human know-how with the latest technology to streamline this process.
North Dakota Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers Appear and Advocate on Your Behalf
In extremely complex cases, the panel of judges in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals will request the appearance of counsel for what is called an oral argument. This is the last opportunity to present your case in the best light and answer any questions which might help the Court decide in your favor. The federal criminal appeals attorneys at our firm prefer oral argument so that we can clarify your position, answer any questions and polish key points face-to-face with the judges who will decide your appeal.