“If you accept this plea deal, you are likely to get a much lighter sentence and avoid a possibly lengthy trial,” expresses your criminal defense attorney. As favorable as he attempts to make it sound, you choose not to accept the plea deal. Your attorney doesn’t support your decision but understands that as your legal representation, he has the duty to provide you with effective assistance of counsel.
The trial commences, and you remain hopeful that it will conclude with you being proven innocent for all presented charges; however, the opposite happens. The jury comes back with a guilty verdict and the judge sentences you to the maximum allowed sentence for the crime. As discouraging as this may be, it is vital that you remain aware of the legal options available to you.
The Orlando direct appeals lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm have the legal experience to get you through a possibly tedious appeals process. We can file the necessary paperwork, present your case, and even present oral arguments in court. Rest assured knowing that your direct appeals lawyer will look out for your best interests throughout the entire appeals process. Contact a determined appeals attorney today to start discussing your legal options.
While one cannot expect to get a new opportunity to reargue their case, the purpose of a direct appeal is to discover and relieve harm caused by an unfair decision. There are several types of cases that a convicted person may appeal against, but the purpose behind the filing is vital to the case.
Specifically, these appeal types will confront issues that fall under these two categories:
The court will not always agree with your assertions about evidence and the sentence being possibly excessive. There are many factors that play into punishing an individual for a crime and the type of proof of innocence that is acceptable. Appellate attorneys are invaluable in these situations as they understand the interpretation of the law, how it applies to your situation, and if you stand a chance for direct appeal.
A direct appeal can come as a result of numerous instances. If you believe you were unfairly sentenced, received subpar representation from your legal counsel, or that there was any other miscarriage of justice, you have the right to request an appeal. We highly suggest that you have someone other than your trial lawyer serve as your appellate lawyer. Your Orlando direct appeals attorney will approach the situation with fresh eyes, and can uncover errors your former attorney overlooked.
After your conviction, you’ll have 30 days to file a notice of appeal. We will file the appropriate documents on your behalf for the appeal to be considered. The prosecution will then file a response brief, and we will have the opportunity to file a response brief soon thereafter. If we find it necessary, we can request oral arguments to allow us to explain the issue further and clear up any uncertainties. After both sides have submitted their respective briefs, it is up to the appeals court judge to rule on the matter.
Oftentimes, the appeals court judge will make a decision based on the briefs alone. Oral arguments only occur if the judge deems them necessary. If the judge upholds the decision of the lower court, your appeals case is usually over unless you choose to appeal to a higher court. However, if the judge rules in favor of your appeal, he or she can have your case remanded or overturn the decision altogether.
If the judge remands your case, he or she can have the lower court judge consider new evidence, reconsider presented facts, order a new trial, or any other further actions he or she sees necessary. The appeals process can be highly beneficial, but your chances of having your appeal approved significantly improve when you acquire a seasoned appellate attorney.
Filing a direct appeal demands an experienced legal team to get the court to take your concerns seriously and genuinely look for any errors that have caused you an excessive prison sentence or other punishment. It’s truly possible and ill-advised to attempt to navigate this complex Florida law process on your own, and you may get a dismissal simply over paperwork errors. Hiring a successful Orlando direct appeals appeals attorney at The Umansky Law Firm can help improve your odds of having your appeal granted.
As members of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, we put our more than 100 years of combined experience to work for you by securing the best possible outcome for your situation. We keep you informed at all times of what is happening in your case and explain the impacts thoroughly. The Orlando direct appeals lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm understand the importance of getting an appeal right the first time and will do everything in their power to have your criminal conviction reconsidered. The law allows you 30 days to take action. Don’t waste any more time. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys