If you or a loved one has been convicted on US federal criminal charges, hiring an experienced federal criminal appeal attorney can be beneficial for several reasons.
An experienced attorney will have a thorough understanding of the laws and procedures involved in federal criminal appeals and will be able to navigate the complex legal process effectively.
They will also have experience working with the specific courts and judges involved in your case, which can be valuable in understanding the likely outcome of your appeal.
Additionally, an experienced attorney will be able to identify any potential issues or errors that may have occurred during your or your loved one’s trial and will be able to effectively present your case to the appeals court in order to give you the best chance of success.
The Importance of Federal Appeal Deadlines
As they say, time is of the essence. There is urgency!
It is important to be aware of deadlines with federal criminal appeals because failing to meet these deadlines can result in your appeal being dismissed. The clock starts ticking after you or your loved one is sentenced. In a criminal case, notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the day a sentence is imposed or suspended in open court. There is an exception if a motion for a new trial is timely filed, that notice shall be filed within 90 days after the sentence is imposed or suspended in open court.
The federal criminal appeal process is governed by strict rules and procedures, and failing to adhere to these rules can have serious consequences. If you miss a deadline, you may lose your right to appeal your case, and you may be unable to challenge the decision made by the lower court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They handle handles Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi cases, and their procedures are outlined here.
So, it is important to be diligent in keeping track of deadlines and to seek the assistance of an experienced federal appeal lawyer if you have any questions or concerns about the federal appeal process.
The post-conviction team of Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys is here to help, contact us today!
About The Attorney
Jacob Blizzard is board certified in both criminal law and criminal appellate law.
He regularly practices in the areas of state and federal criminal defense, criminal appeals, post conviction writs of habeas corpus.
In Texas, there are more than 100,000 attorneys licensed to practice, but only 7,450 are board certified.
In the entire State of Texas, as of the 2019 certification year, there were only 87 attorneys board certified in both criminal law and criminal appellate law, making Mr. Blizzard one of 0.087% of attorneys in Texas to hold both of those certifications.
