Cases
Once a defendant is convicted he loses the presumption of innocence, and is presumed guilty. It is very difficult to change that result. Only about five percent of appeals result in any relief to the defendant, and often it is of little or no benefit.
For example, a defendant may be convicted of a double murder and given two life sentences. Even if one conviction and sentence is reversed it is of no benefit to the defendant because he still has a life sentence to serve. That is why it is of utmost importance to give yourself the best chance possible on your appeal. Criminal appeals are hard to win, but I have obtained positive results in numerous cases.
In capital appeals, the highest stakes cases there are, I have written the briefs in four cases involving six convictions for first degree murder and six death sentences. Three of the convictions for first degree murder, and five of the death sentences, were reversed.
Though I no longer do jury trials, I have won acquittals in jury trials of various major felonies including first-degree murder, armed career criminal, and felony drug charges.
In a federal case my client had been convicted at trial of multiple drug and weapons violations and sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. I took over his case on appeal and won a reversal of his sentence and convictions. I then represented him at his retrial at which he was acquitted of all charges.
In a state case my client had been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. I represented him on appeal and won the reversal of his sentence and conviction. On retrial he was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter, received a greatly reduced sentence, and because of time he had already served, he was released on parole shortly thereafter.
In another state case, my appeal resulted in the reversal of my client's conviction for first-degree murder and sentence to death. He later pled guilty to a lesser offense and was immediately eligible for parole.
In a federal appeal in 2008 I had convictions for felony drug possession and felon in possession of a firearm, and a life sentence, reversed. A new trial was ordered.
In 2009 I was hired to prepare a clemency petition for a client who had served nine years and had eight more to serve before being eligible for parole. I looked into the case and discovered that the client should have been eligible for parole five years earlier. I filed a habeas corpus petition, which was granted, and the client was immediately paroled.
Of course, past successes cannot be an assurance of future success because each case must be evaluated on its own merits.
Once a defendant is convicted he loses the presumption of innocence, and is presumed guilty. It is very difficult to change that result. Only about five percent of appeals result in any relief to the defendant, and often it is of little or no benefit.
For example, a defendant may be convicted of a double murder and given two life sentences. Even if one conviction and sentence is reversed it is of no benefit to the defendant because he still has a life sentence to serve. That is why it is of utmost importance to give yourself the best chance possible on your appeal. Criminal appeals are hard to win, but I have obtained positive results in numerous cases.
In capital appeals, the highest stakes cases there are, I have written the briefs in four cases involving six convictions for first degree murder and six death sentences. Three of the convictions for first degree murder, and five of the death sentences, were reversed.
Though I no longer do jury trials, I have won acquittals in jury trials of various major felonies including first-degree murder, armed career criminal, and felony drug charges.
In a federal case my client had been convicted at trial of multiple drug and weapons violations and sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. I took over his case on appeal and won a reversal of his sentence and convictions. I then represented him at his retrial at which he was acquitted of all charges.
In a state case my client had been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. I represented him on appeal and won the reversal of his sentence and conviction. On retrial he was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter, received a greatly reduced sentence, and because of time he had already served, he was released on parole shortly thereafter.
In another state case, my appeal resulted in the reversal of my client's conviction for first-degree murder and sentence to death. He later pled guilty to a lesser offense and was immediately eligible for parole.
In a federal appeal in 2008 I had convictions for felony drug possession and felon in possession of a firearm, and a life sentence, reversed. A new trial was ordered.
In 2009 I was hired to prepare a clemency petition for a client who had served nine years and had eight more to serve before being eligible for parole. I looked into the case and discovered that the client should have been eligible for parole five years earlier. I filed a habeas corpus petition, which was granted, and the client was immediately paroled.
Of course, past successes cannot be an assurance of future success because each case must be evaluated on its own merits.