Utah Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys: Advocates With Impact
We handle federal criminal appeals in both Utah and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
We are a boutique law firm experienced in protecting individual and corporate clients in complex federal criminal appeals and post-conviction relief. We serve Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo Park City, St. George, Moab, Orem and any city in Utah where federal criminal charges may arise. And because we are admitted in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C., we can represent you in appealing your federal criminal conviction originating in Utah all the way to the highest court in the United States, if necessary. We have helped many people seek some of the following post-conviction relief:
- A direct appeal of your conviction, sentence or both;
- A collateral appeal raising issues outside of the trial court record;
- Motions for reconsideration seeking an acquittal, a new trial, an arrest of judgment or a sentence modification;
- Section 2254 and 2255 motions to vacate a conviction or sentence based upon new evidence, known as Writs of Habeas Corpus;
- Motions for leniency, clemency or a pardon;
- Motion seeking modification of probation; and
- Motions seeking to expunge your criminal record.
Many things can go wrong during a federal criminal investigation, a trial and a sentencing hearing. Mistakes can and are made all the time. Sometimes they are harmless, while other times they are serious enough to mandate corrective action. Stated another way, there are certain legal errors that render a conviction, sentence or both unlawful. When that happens, you might have a right to appeal or seek other post-conviction corrective relief, and we can help.
Contact our Utah federal criminal appeals lawyers for a free consultation at 1-800-APPEALS.
We are a boutique law firm experienced in protecting individual and corporate clients in complex federal criminal appeals and post-conviction relief. Our federal criminal appeals lawyers have years of appellate experience and are capable of spotting some human and legal errors including the following:
- Issues involving evidence illegally obtained, improperly admitted or intentionally withheld by the prosecution;
- Convictions based upon forced confessions, statements made in violation of Miranda rights or evidence obtained outside the presence of counsel;
- Denial of the right to confront adverse witnesses;
- Double jeopardy;
- Search and seizure violations, exigent circumstances and lack of probable cause;
- Ineffective assistance of counsel;
- Improper jury instructions; and
- Sentencing violations.
We serve Cedar City, Layton, Ogden, Provo, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Salt Lake, St. George, West Valley and many other cities in Utah. Plus, we are admitted in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. Therefore, we can represent you in appealing your federal criminal conviction originating in Utah all the way to the highest court in the United States, if necessary. We can help you in a wide-range of federal criminal appeals matters involving some of the following:
- Economic crimes such as bank, wire and mail fraud;
- Aggravated Identity Theft;
- Violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act, marriage fraud and visa fraud;
- Domestic and international terrorism;
- Public Corruption;
- Theft of government property and mail;
- Counterfeiting;
- Interstate transportation of stolen property;
- Drug crimes including manufacturing, trafficking and distributing narcotics and controlled substances;
- Human trafficking, alien smuggling, hostage taking and child exploitation;
- Money laundering;
- Gang violence and organized crime;
- Violent crimes;
- Crimes committed in Indian Country; and
- White collar crimes including securities fraud, tax fraud, mortgage fraud, health care fraud, social security disability fraud and bankruptcy fraud.
Utah Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers Uncover Appealable Issues
What is post-conviction relief? In a nutshell, it is a request made to either the original trial court judge or a higher court asking for a change in the conviction, sentence or both. Often called an appeal or a writ, it can be based upon legal errors within the trial court record or facts outside of the trial court record. The federal criminal appeals attorneys at our firm have helped many people seek some of the following relief:
- A motion for reconsideration seeking an acquittal, a new trial, an arrest of judgment or a sentence modification;
- A direct appeal of your conviction, sentence or both, which is based entirely upon the trial court record;
- A collateral appeal, which is based upon issues outside of the trial court record such as new evidence, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or Writs of Habeas Corpus;
- A motion for leniency, clemency or a pardon; and
- A motion seeking to modify the terms of probation.
How is post-conviction relief different from a trial? Generally, a trial is about developing and proving facts. There is a judge, a jury, witnesses, testimony and evidence. Much like on television, a trial takes place in real time – everyone is present in the court room. The question asked and answered: guilty or innocent. By contrast, post-conviction requests for relief are made by submitting a written document referred to as an appellate brief or a motion.
There is no jury and you do not appear in court. The questions asked and answered: were your legal rights violated or does the new evidence change the outcome of your trial.
Utah Federal Criminal Appeals Lawyers Are Unafraid to Fight the Good Fight
What are the possible outcomes? A favorable decision can result in the reversal of your conviction, the modification of your sentence or a new trial or sentencing hearing. In rare cases, a decision might persuade the government to drop the charges. Even if your request is denied, you can still ask a higher court to review the decision.
Why should I hire an appellate attorney? The appellate process and procedure is complex with many traps for the unwary. Since an appeal is your last chance to seek corrective relief from a judge, it is vital that you put your best foot forward. The trial court and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals will not do the work for you, nor will they spend a lot of time trying to understand your arguments, logic and reasoning.
The federal criminal appeals attorneys at our firm are seasoned professionals. Our job is to defend your rights, and we have been doing this work for a long time. We are capable of spotting the human and legal errors committed by the police, the prosecution and the trial court. We know the law. We understand the process. We are writers, orators and attorneys.