Experienced Criminal Appeals Lawyer
State Appeals and Federal Appeals: Knoxville, Tennessee
It takes certain skills to be an effective criminal defense attorney. For example, effective attorneys know how to investigate, find and preserve critical evidence rather than rely on the state to do it for them. They also have to have credibility with the prosecutors they square off against. If prosecutors know that your attorney rarely takes cases to trial, chances are good that they will not take your plea negotiations seriously.
The skills necessary to be an effective trial attorney have little in common with the skills necessary for effectiveness in the state and federal courts of appeals. These skills include an extensive knowledge of the law, excellent legal writing skills, creativity and familiarity with the appellate courts in your area. We can offer you an attorney who possesses both sets of skills, who started his career working as a law clerk for a Tennessee Court of Appeals judge and who has more than 30 years of criminal law experience.
Contact us for a free consultation today.
Who is entitled to an appeal?
Individuals who have been brought to trial and convicted of a crime by a judge or jury are entitled to a review of their convictions on appeal by at least one higher court. A defendant may appeal the conviction itself, the sentence imposed or both.
In some circumstances, the government may seek review of the sentence imposed on a defendant. In the case of a conviction resulting from a defendant's plea of guilty, there is ordinarily no right to an appeal. However, a sentence imposed after a guilty plea may be reviewed on appeal. It is also possible for a defendant to ask the trial judge who imposed the sentence to reduce that sentence or to alter the manner in which the sentence is to be served.
The bottom line is that while nearly everyone is entitled to an appeal, if you want to have your conviction or sentence reviewed by an appellate court you have to act in a timely manner to preserve that right. Failing to do that may mean losing the right to present some, even all, of the reviewable issues in your state or federal appeals.
Protect Your Rights With More Than 30 Years of Experience
Call (865) 637-8505 Today for a Free Consultation
The Law Office of Randall E. Reagan handles state and federal criminal appeals for people throughout eastern Tennessee and elsewhere.
Call or contact our Knoxville, Tennessee, law office today about your state or federal criminal appeal. Free consultations are available by appointment and major credit cards are accepted for your convenience.
