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Appeals

Even if your criminal case ended in conviction, your defense does not have to be over. All defendants found guilty in criminal cases have the right to appeal their convictions. An Oklahoma City criminal appeals lawyer can petition the appellate courts to evaluate certain circumstances of the trial, asserting that some error has taken place, which denied the defendant of his right to a fair trial. It is important to remember that the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals does not examine new evidence, nor is an appeal a new trial. An appeal asserts that a legal error or miscarriage of justice occurred that requires a different sentence or a new trial in order for justice to be served.

Oklahoma City criminal appeals attorney Patrick Quillian is an aggressive post-conviction advocate for clients whose rights have been denied through errors and wrongdoing by judges, jurors, prosecutors, and through ineffective assistance of counsel. If you have been wrongly convicted of a crime, criminal appellate lawyer Patrick Quillian can help you obtain justice.

State And Federal Criminal Appeals Attorney In Oklahoma City

When finding an attorney to handle the appeal of your conviction, it is important to look for an Oklahoma City criminal appeals lawyer who has significant experience filing appeals and who is knowledgeable about the requirements of the appellate process. Filing an appeal without merit or failing to file within the allotted time period will result in the immediate dismissal of your appeal. Do not waste your opportunity to get justice after your conviction. Contact Patrick Quillian, a skillful and experienced appellate lawyer in Oklahoma City.

If you were wrongfully convicted or sentenced, grounds for appeal may include:

  • Legal errors such as improperly admitted evidence, incorrect jury instructions and lack of evidence to support the verdict
  • Juror misconduct such as drug or alcohol use during the trial or deliberations; experiments; improper communication between the juror and witnesses or counsel; failure to follow instructions regarding outside information about the case
  • Ineffective assistance of counsel in which a defendant’s attorney fails in his responsibility to his client through drug or alcohol abuse, failing to investigate, failing to question witness, failing to raise objections and more

Patrick Quillian can successfully handle your appeal whether he was your defense attorney at trial who witnessed legal errors firsthand or whether you were denied effective assistance of counsel and you need a new defense attorney who can offer you the professionalism and quality legal services you deserve.

When you are appealing your conviction or seeking post-conviction relief, it is imperative that you are represented by a highly qualified attorney who has the experience and knowledge to effectively handle your appeal. Trained by the nationally renowned appellate attorney Ira Mickenberg, Patrick Quillian has successfully argued before the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and the Oklahoma Supreme Court Referee. This training and experience has provided Patrick Quillian with the expertise your appeal requires.

Oklahoma Post-Conviction Relief And Federal Habeas Corpus Relief

Even if your appeal has been denied or if your appeal options have been exhausted, you may have opportunities for a review of your conviction through state post-conviction relief or federal habeas corpus review. State and federal post-conviction relief processes are complex, and it is imperative that a defendant seeking a review of his or her conviction find an attorney who has successful experience handling these types of cases. If your constitutional rights were denied at trial, call Oklahoma post-conviction relief lawyer Patrick Quillian for help.

Direct Appeals

As part of the criminal justice process, all defendants convicted of a crime have the right to appeal their conviction. Whether the conviction was a result of a defendant’s guilty plea or the result of a verdict at trial, the defendant is granted the statutory right to appeal. The appeal to withdraw a guilty plea is an appeal by certiorari, and the appeal of a conviction by trial is a direct appeal. Though all convicted defendants are granted the statutory right of appeal, it is important to note that the appeals process is a complex process that must be carefully handled by a skilled Oklahoma City appellate lawyer.

How To Appeal Your Case

The appeals process is not limited to those convicted of violating Oklahoma law. If you were convicted of a federal offense in United States District Court in Oklahoma, you are entitled to appeal your conviction with the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

After a conviction, the defendant must act quickly to file a Notice of Intent to Appeal. The Notice of Intent to Appeal and Designation of Record must be filed within 10 calendar days from imposition of judgment and sentence in open court. If you intend to appeal your conviction or file a motion to withdraw your plea, it is important to find an Oklahoma direct appeals lawyer who is equipped to successfully handle your appeal. Attorney Patrick Quillian is an experienced appellate lawyer with extensive knowledge of the appellate process and the rules of both the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals.

When To Appeal Your Case

Direct appeals are based on a legal error or misconduct during a trial that may have directly affected the outcome of your case and led to a wrongful conviction. Common grounds for appeal include:

  • Improper jury instructions
  • Improperly admitted evidence
  • Lack of evidence to support the verdict
  • Juror misconduct
  • Inappropriate contact or communication between the jurors and witnesses or attorneys
  • Ineffective assistance of counsel

Though the appellate court finds that many errors are harmless and had no bearing on the result of the case, an error that violated the defendant’s right to a fair trial may result in a ruling in your favor, with your case being remanded for a new trial.

Filing a direct appeal without merit or failing to meet filing deadlines can result in the immediate dismissal of your appeal. Do not waste your chance at justice. Ensure your appeal is properly litigated by hiring attorney Oklahoma City direct appeals lawyer Patrick Quillian.