Criminal Appeals Lawyer — Appeals, Post-Conviction Relief and Federal Habeas Corpus

A conviction is not always the end. After all, legal errors happen, and the law provides ways to correct them. A criminal appeals lawyer reviews the record and identifies the strongest grounds for relief.

Appeals and post-conviction cases run on strict deadlines. In fact, some are measured in days, not months. Therefore, the first step after a conviction is understanding which deadlines apply.

This guide explains direct appeals, state post-conviction relief, federal habeas corpus and other options such as pardons and record clearing.

Direct appeals

A direct appeal challenges legal errors in the trial or sentence. Specifically, it is based on the record: transcripts, motions and rulings. New evidence is generally not considered.

Deadlines are short. For example, in federal criminal cases, the notice of appeal is generally due within 14 days of judgment. Many states allow around 30 days. Consequently, missing the deadline can end the right to appeal.

Typically, appeal issues include improper evidence rulings, faulty jury instructions, insufficient evidence and sentencing errors. Our motion or brief first draft and case law research services support appellate briefing.

Post-conviction relief

Post-conviction relief, by contrast, addresses problems outside the trial record. The most common claim is ineffective assistance of counsel. Under Strickland v. Washington, you must show your lawyer's performance was deficient and that it affected the outcome.

Other claims also include newly discovered evidence, prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional violations. Each state has its own procedure and deadlines. Furthermore, federal prisoners use a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, generally within one year.

A Criminal Case Review evaluates whether your case has viable claims.

Federal habeas corpus

Next, state prisoners can seek federal habeas relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 after exhausting state remedies. The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act imposes a one-year limitation period and highly deferential review of state court decisions.

These cases are technical. As a result, procedural mistakes, such as failing to raise a claim in state court, can bar federal review. Therefore, planning the state and federal stages together is vital.

Pardons, expungement and sentence changes

Not every remedy attacks the conviction. For instance, a pardon forgives the offense and can restore rights. Our pardon application service prepares those requests.

Likewise, expungement or record sealing can limit who sees your record. Our expungement petition service starts at $99, and a record sealing consultation explains eligibility. Meanwhile, a probation modification can ease conditions or end probation early.

Non-citizens should note that expungement usually does not remove immigration consequences. Read our guide to crimigration.

Our Criminal Appeals services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Criminal Appeals services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

Criminal Appeals help in California

We prepare criminal appeals documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Los Angeles, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in San Diego, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in San Francisco. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in California.

Criminal Appeals help in Texas

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Houston, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Dallas, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in San Antonio, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Austin. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Texas.

Criminal Appeals help in Florida

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Miami, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Orlando, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Tampa. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Florida.

Criminal Appeals help in New York

We prepare criminal appeals documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in New York City, Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in New York.

Criminal Appeals help in Illinois

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Chicago. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Illinois.

Criminal Appeals help in Georgia

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Atlanta. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Georgia.

Criminal Appeals help in Arizona

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Phoenix. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Arizona.

Criminal Appeals help in Pennsylvania

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Pennsylvania.

Criminal Appeals help in Washington

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Seattle. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Washington.

Criminal Appeals help in Colorado

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Denver. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Colorado.

Criminal Appeals help in Massachusetts

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Boston. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Massachusetts.

Criminal Appeals help in Nevada

We prepare criminal appeals documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in Nevada.

Criminal Appeals help in New Jersey

We prepare criminal appeals documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Newark. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in New Jersey.

Criminal Appeals help in North Carolina

We prepare criminal appeals documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Charlotte. Similarly, see Motion or Brief — First Draft in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Frequently asked questions

Contact American Counsel

Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.