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What is an appeal?
An appeal is a request to a higher court to change a decision made by a lower court. This request must be made within a limited period of time after a lower court conviction and must meet certain requirements to be considered. If the request is approved, a new trial is granted in the Appellate Court system. Under certain conditions, cases can continue to be appealed up through this system to the level of a state or federal Supreme Court. United Defense Group has attorneys with Supreme Court experience in its team.
What is a writ?
A writ is an instruction from a court to an official in the criminal justice system, such as a judge in a lower court. You can think of a writ as a "court order." Although a writ does not necessarily overturn a prior conviction, it can be used to provide significant relief to a sentence or criminal penalty, and a writ can also be used to support a case for an appeal.
What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?
A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a constitutionally guaranteed right for an individual to challenge the conditions of his or her criminal sentence. It is typically used to challenge the illegal imprisonment of an individual and is an important tool in reducing the severity of criminal sentences.
What is an Expungement?
Under certain conditions, many states permit certain types of criminal convictions to be either "sealed" or permanently removed from your record. The clearing of your criminal record can make it possible for you to repair your reputation and get employment that would otherwise be denied to you. Generally, a set period of time is required to have passed since the conviction before that conviction can be expunged.
Can I get a sentence reduced?
Yes. We have developed a variety of techniques we call "collateral attacks on sentencing" that can often reduce the severity of criminal sentences. These techniques have made it possible for our clients to move on with their lives even in cases when appeals were not possible.
How do I know if I have a case for an appeal?
The only reliable way to determine your best post-conviction option is to have expert legal counsel thoroughly review your case. It is critical that this defense team include investigators, as there may be exonerating information that was never discovered during your original trial. United Defense Group offers an Appeal Evaluation Service for a fixed, low price that gives you direct access to some of the top appellate attorneys and investigators in the nation who will make every possible effort to get you relief from your criminal convictions.
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