Appeals Defense Lawyer Peoria, IL

Need to File an Appeal for Your Criminal Conviction?

If you have been convicted of a crime, it may not be too late to turn the situation around and avoid or reduce the serious consequences you face. After a conviction, it is often possible to file an appeal, which involves submitting the case to a higher court for a review to determine whether or not you and your rights have been misrepresented.

You need to act quickly in order to file a proper appeal. Contact Johnson Law Group today to speak to a Peoria appeals lawyer with know-how and dedication!

A Second Look at Your Trial Could Make All the Difference

An appeal is not a new trial. Instead, it is a request to have a higher court—often the state's Supreme Court—reexamine the evidence and the records of how the trial was conducted. They will be tasked to ascertain if some aspects were erroneous or if the outcome of the case was prejudiced against you.

The goal of an appeal is usually to have a conviction overturned so that the defendant is not forced to serve a harsh sentence or suffer from excessive penalties. In some cases, an appeal is a challenge of the judge's decision regarding sentencing; while not disputing the validity of the conviction, the defendant can use the appeal to argue for a lessened or lighter sentence. In any event, successfully filing an appeal can be a considerable challenge, one that requires an exhaustive understanding of the intricacies of appellate law and the rigors of preparing an effective brief. Without an extensive familiarity of the litigation, you will need an appeals lawyer from Johnson Law Group.

An Explanation of Writs and How They Can Help You

In addition to criminal appeals, individuals who have been convicted can often benefit from petitioning the higher court for a writ. Writs are generally considered to be extraordinary remedies that are used to address matters that are not eligible for review through an appeal. A writ is an order from a higher court or governmental authority to a lower court that attempts to fix certain mistakes.

Preventable mistakes that can be challenged and undone by a writ include:

• Failing to file an objection
• Failing to suppress evidence
• Missing a deadline due to extraneous circumstances
• Holding a suspect without justification

Hire a Team of Former Prosecutors to File Your Appeal

When you come to Johnson Law Group, you are not just getting the assistance of one Peoria appeals attorney—you are enlisting the support of an entire team. We understand that virtually no case is too complicated when we put our heads together and attack our goal from all possible angles. By helping you every step of the way and keeping you up to speed, you can feel confident that your appeal is being handled correctly and in a timely manner.

Learn more about how a writ or appeal may help you by contacting our firm today.