Federal & State Criminal Appeals

An appeal may be appropriate if:

• The trial court made legal errors.
• The sentence was imposed incorrectly.
• Improper evidence was admitted.
• Constitutional rights were violated.
• Jury instructions were incorrect.
• Prosecutorial misconduct occurred.
• Defense counsel provided ineffective assistance (generally raised through post-conviction proceedings).
• The court abused its discretion.
• Newly controlling appellate decisions affect your case.

A direct appeal is the first appeal following conviction and sentencing.

We assist with:

• Reviewing trial transcripts
• Reviewing sentencing transcripts
• Identifying appealable issues
• Preparing Notices of Appeal
• Appellant Briefs
• Reply Briefs
• Motions for Extension of Time
• Motions to Supplement the Record
• Motions for Oral Argument
• Supplemental Authority Filings

If your compassionate release motion was denied, you may have the right to appeal.

We prepare:

• Notice of Appeal
• Informal Appellant Briefs
• Formal Appellant Briefs
• Reply Briefs
• Motions for Reconsideration
• Motions to Supplement Authority
• Motions to Expedite

If your Motion under 28 U.S.C. §2255 is denied, additional steps are required.

We assist with:

• Notice of Appeal
• Certificate of Appealability (COA)
• Motions to Expand COA
• Appellant Briefs
• Reply Briefs

When a district court denies relief under 28 U.S.C. §2241, an appeal may be available.

Common issues include:

• First Step Act Time Credits
• Earned Time Credits
• Sentence Computation
• Good Conduct Time
• BOP Administrative Decisions
• Program Eligibility

Examples include:

• Extraordinary and compelling reasons
• Rehabilitation
• Family caregiver issues
• Medical conditions
• Unusually long sentence
• Changes in sentencing law
• Failure to properly consider §3553(a) factors

Appeals involving:

• Early termination
• Revocation
• Conditions of supervision
• Violations
• Sentencing following revocation

Appeals involving:

• Interstate Agreement on Detainers
• Speedy Trial rights
• Interstate transfers
• Failure to provide prompt disposition

Appeals involving:

• 18 U.S.C. §3582(c)(1)(A)
• Amendment 821
• Retroactive Guideline Amendments
• Compassionate Release
• Crack Cocaine Amendments

We also assist with appeals involving:

• Felony convictions
• Misdemeanor convictions
• Sentencing errors
• Probation revocations
• Constitutional violations
• State post-conviction proceedings

We assist with filings before:

• United States Courts of Appeals
• First Circuit
• Second Circuit
• Third Circuit
• Fourth Circuit
• Fifth Circuit
• Sixth Circuit
• Seventh Circuit
• Eighth Circuit
• Ninth Circuit
• Tenth Circuit
• Eleventh Circuit
• District of Columbia Circuit

Examples include:

• Improper sentence calculations
• Incorrect Sentencing Guideline enhancements
• Judicial error
• Prosecutorial misconduct
• Brady violations
• Giglio violations
• Fourth Amendment violations
• Fifth Amendment violations
• Sixth Amendment violations
• Improper admission of evidence
• Jury misconduct
• Constitutional violations
• Abuse of discretion
• Incorrect application of the Sentencing Guidelines
• Improper restitution orders
• Invalid plea agreements
• Invalid appeal waivers

Notice of Appeal generally must be filed:

Within 14 days after entry of judgment or the order being appealed.

Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to appeal.

Deadlines vary by state.

Many states require appeals within 30 days after sentencing or entry of judgment.

✔ Case Review

✔ Legal Research

✔ Record Review

✔ Transcript Analysis

✔ Brief Preparation

✔ Reply Briefs

✔ Supplemental Authority

✔ Motion Practice

✔ Certificate of Appealability Requests

✔ Appendix Preparation

✔ Record Citations

✔ Federal Rule Compliance

Our appellate documents are professionally prepared using:

• Current Supreme Court decisions
• Circuit Court precedent
• Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
• State appellate rules
• United States Sentencing Guidelines
• Federal statutes
• Extensive legal research

Each filing is customized to the individual case and designed to clearly present legal arguments supported by applicable authority.

No hourly billing.

No hidden fees.

Professional document preparation with extensive legal research.

In many cases, yes. Some issues may still be appealable despite a guilty plea, though plea agreements sometimes include appeal waivers. The specific language of the plea agreement and the issues involved will determine what may be reviewed.

Usually not. An appellate court reviews the existing record to determine whether legal errors occurred. If reversible error is found, the court may affirm, reverse, vacate, or remand the case for further proceedings.

Generally, no. Appeals are usually limited to the record that was before the trial court. Claims requiring new evidence are often pursued through post-conviction proceedings rather than on direct appeal.

The timeline varies depending on the court and complexity of the case. Many appeals take several months, and some may take a year or longer before a decision is issued.