You‘re facing a federal criminal appeal? Sorry if that didn’t make sense. Let me break it down for you.There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm to handle your federal criminal appeal. Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stone unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results. We understand the difficulties and challenges of going through an appeal. If you’re appealing a federal criminal conviction, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.
What is a Federal Criminal Appeal?
A federal criminal appeal is the process of challenging a conviction or sentence handed down by a federal district court. It’s not a new trial – you can‘t re-argue the entire case from the beginning. Instead, an appeals court reviews the record from the original trial to determine if any legal errors were made that impacted the outcome.The appeals process can seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through it step-by-step. Our firm has handled countless federal appeals, so we know exactly what to expect and how to put you in the best position to succeed.
Grounds for Appeal in Federal Criminal Cases
For an appeal to have any chance, you need legitimate legal grounds. Some of the most common grounds for appealing a federal conviction include:
Insufficient Evidence
If the evidence presented at trial was legally insufficient for a reasonable jury to find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you may be able to appeal on those grounds. However, the appeals court will view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, so this is an uphill battle.
Improper Jury Instructions
The jury must be properly instructed on the applicable law. If the judge‘s instructions were incorrect or incomplete in a way that prejudiced you, it could warrant a new trial on appeal.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
Prosecutors have a duty to play by the rules. If they engaged in misconduct like withholding exculpatory evidence or making improper arguments to the jury, it could be grounds for appeal.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
You have a constitutional right to effective legal representation. If your trial lawyer’s performance was so deficient that it undermined the reliability of the verdict, you may be able to appeal on those grounds.
Erroneous Evidentiary Rulings
Judges have discretion in deciding what evidence is admissible at trial, but they must follow the rules of evidence. Erroneous rulings that prejudiced your case could warrant a new trial.
Sentencing Errors
If the judge miscalculated your sentencing guidelines range or imposed a sentence that was procedurally or substantively unreasonable, you may be able to appeal the sentence.These are just some of the potential grounds – the specific circumstances of your case will determine what issues can be raised on appeal. Our appellate team will thoroughly review the record to identify any and all viable grounds.
The Federal Appeals Process Step-by-Step
So what exactly happens when you appeal a federal criminal conviction? Here‘s a basic overview of the process:
1. Notice of Appeal
The first step is filing a notice of appeal in the district court where you were convicted. This is a simple document stating your intent to appeal, but it must be filed within strict time limits (typically 14 days after sentencing for a federal criminal case).
2. Assembling the Record
Next, the court reporter prepares a transcript of all proceedings from the district court case. Your appellate lawyer will also designate any other relevant materials that should be included in the record on appeal, like pleadings, exhibits, etc.
3. Opening Brief
This is where the real work begins. Your appellate lawyer will thoroughly review the record and legal research to identify the strongest grounds for appeal. Those arguments will be laid out in detail in the opening brief filed with the appeals court.
4. Response Brief
The government will then have an opportunity to file a response brief arguing why your conviction and/or sentence should be upheld.
5. Optional Reply Brief
If permitted by the court‘s rules, your lawyer may file a reply brief addressing the government’s arguments.
6. Oral Argument
In many cases, the appeals court will then hold oral argument where each side has a short window (usually 15-30 minutes) to present their case and answer questions from the judges.
7. Court’s Decision
Finally, a panel of judges from the appeals court will issue a written decision either affirming your conviction/sentence, reversing it, or remanding (sending it back) to the district court for further proceedings.As you can see, it’s a complex and high-stakes process. That’s why it‘s absolutely critical to have an experienced federal appeals lawyer on your side.
Why You Need a Specialized Appellate Lawyer
You might be thinking – my trial lawyer did a great job, why can’t they just handle the appeal too? While trial lawyers are invaluable during the district court proceedings, appeals involve a completely different skill set.Appeals are all about identifying specific legal errors in the record and crafting airtight written arguments. It requires painstaking review of transcripts, mastery of technical legal principles, and exceptional research and writing abilities. That’s why most law firms have separate appellate specialty practices.At Spodek Law Group, our appellate team has decades of combined experience representing clients in the federal appeals courts. We know what it takes to craft a persuasive, winning appeal. From strategically selecting the strongest issues to presenting a clear, compelling oral argument, we’ll give you the best possible chance of getting your conviction overturned or sentence reduced.Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty when you could‘ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney. At Spodek Law Group – we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency – we have a full team of lawyers available to help you.
What If My Appeal Is Denied?
An unsuccessful appeal isn’t necessarily the end of the road. There are still additional avenues that may be available:
Rehearing En Banc
In limited circumstances, you can request a rehearing by the full appeals court (called hearing or rehearing “en banc”). This is an uphill battle that requires meeting very specific criteria.
Certiorari to U.S. Supreme Court
If your appeal was denied by a federal circuit court, you can petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review your case. However, the Supreme Court grants certiorari (agrees to hear a case) in less than 1% of petitions filed each year.
Federal Habeas Corpus
A federal habeas petition allows you to collaterally attack your conviction by showing it was obtained in violation of the U.S. Constitution or federal law. This is a separate civil proceeding from your direct appeal and has different standards.Regardless of how tough your situation is – we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.
Federal Appeals Courts Explained
When you appeal a federal criminal case, where exactly does your appeal go? The answer depends on the specific court and circuit:
District Courts
Federal district courts are the general trial courts of the federal court system. There are 94 federal judicial districts, each with a bankruptcy court and a district court.
Courts of Appeals
There are 13 appellate courts that hear appeals from district courts within their circuit, as well as appeals from decisions of federal administrative agencies.The 13 appellate courts are:
- D.C. Circuit
- Federal Circuit
- 1st Circuit (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island)
- 2nd Circuit (Connecticut, New York, Vermont)
- 3rd Circuit (Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virgin Islands)
- 4th Circuit (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia)
- 5th Circuit (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas)
- 6th Circuit (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee)
- 7th Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin)
- 8th Circuit (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)
- 9th Circuit (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands)
- 10th Circuit (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming)
- 11th Circuit (Alabama, Florida, Georgia)
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court is the final interpreter of federal constitutional law. It has discretionary jurisdiction over appeals from the 13 federal Courts of Appeals, as well as final appellate jurisdiction over some cases from the highest courts of U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.So in summary, your federal criminal appeal would go to the Court of Appeals for the circuit where your district court case was held. From there, you may potentially be able to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but that‘s an extremely rare occurrence.
Federal Appeals Process Timeline
One of the first questions our clients ask is: how long will my federal criminal appeal take? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer – every case is different. However, here are some general timelines to keep in mind:
Notice of Appeal Filing Deadline
14 days after entry of judgment/sentencing in district court
Record Preparation
4-8 weeks after notice of appeal is filed
Opening Brief Filing Deadline
Typically 40 days after record is complete
Response Brief Deadline
30-60 days after opening brief is filed
Optional Reply Brief Deadline
14-21 days after response brief
Oral Argument Scheduling
4-8 months after briefing is complete
Court’s Written Decision
1-12 months after oral argumentAs you can see, the entire process can easily take over a year from start to finish. And if your case is remanded to the district court for further proceedings, it could extend the timeline even longer.That’s why it’s so important to get started right away by hiring an experienced federal appeals lawyer. The sooner we can begin reviewing your case and drafting the opening brief, the better your chances of success.
Federal Appeals Court Standards of Review
One of the most important – yet complex – aspects of any federal criminal appeal is the “standard of review” that will be applied by the appeals court. This standard governs the level of deference the court must give to the district court’s rulings and factual findings.There are three main standards of review:
De Novo Review
This is the strictest standard where the appeals court owes no deference to the district court’s rulings on questions of law. The appeals court reviews those issues independently to determine if legal errors occurred.
Abuse of Discretion Review
For certain issues like evidentiary rulings and sentencing decisions, the appeals court applies a more deferential “abuse of discretion” standard. The district court’s ruling will only be reversed if it was arbitrary, fanciful, or defied logic.
Clear Error Review
When it comes to the district court‘s factual findings, the appeals court applies a “clear error” standard of review. Those findings will only be overturned if the court is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake was made based on the entire record.Determining the proper standard of review for each issue on appeal is absolutely critical. Our appellate team has extensive experience analyzing which standards apply and crafting arguments accordingly.
Why Choose Spodek Law Group for Your Federal Appeal?
So by now, you understand – federal criminal appeals are highly technical and complex proceedings that demand specialized legal expertise. That’s why so many people in your situation turn to Spodek Law Group.Here are just a few reasons our appellate team is second to none:
Proven Track Record
Our appellate attorneys have secured reversals, remands, and reduced sentences for countless clients in the federal appeals courts. We know how to get results.
Unparalleled Appellate Experience
Unlike general practice firms, our team is comprised entirely of lawyers with years of specialized appellate experience. We live and breathe the federal appeals process.
Meticulous Approach
We’ll leave no stone unturned in scrutinizing every detail of your case record to identify all possible grounds for appeal. Our briefs are exhaustively researched and airtight.
Strategic Perspective
We never take a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll carefully analyze the unique circumstances of your case to determine the most effective appellate strategy.
Unwavering Advocacy
From the initial notice of appeal through oral argument, we‘ll fight tenaciously every step of the way to protect your rights and freedom. You’ll never be just another case number.
White Glove Service
We understand the immense stress of appealing a federal conviction. You can count on our team to guide you through the process with compassion and constant communication.
