Normal IL Appellate Lawyers
Two forms of post-conviction relief are appeals and writs. Appeals are fairly common and can yield great results if handled appropriately. Writs usually are considered to be extraordinary remedies, permitted only when there is no other adequate remedy, such as an appeal. A writ may be used to contest a point that cannot be raised on appeal. As a general rule, this applies to issues that are not apparent in the record of the case itself, such as when a previous attorney failed to investigate a possible defense.
At Johnson Law Group, our attorneys are extremely experienced in writs and appeals. If you believe that you or a loved one has been wrongfully convicted of a crime, get in touch with us for a post-conviction evaluation.
What Is a Writ?
In most jurisdictions, a writ is an order from a higher court to a lower court or to a government official, such as a prison warden. Writs, like appeals, are complex and involve minute details. Our lawyers handle writs of all types.
One of the most common types of writs is a writ of habeas corpus. This is for people who want to challenge the legality of their imprisonment, or the conditions in which they are imprisoned. Essentially, the writ of habeas corpus gives jailed suspects the right to ask an appellate judge to set them free or to end improper jail conditions, and thereby ensures that people in this country will not be held for long times in prison in violation of their rights.
What Is an Appeal?
An appeal is a request for an appellate court to review and change the decision of a lower court. Because post-trial motions requesting trial courts to change their own judgments or order new jury trials are so seldom successful, a person who hopes to overturn a guilty verdict must usually appeal. A person may challenge the conviction itself or may appeal the trial court's sentencing decision without actually challenging the underlying conviction.
Our law firm features attorneys who have worked in the public appellate defenders office. We have handled many appeals successfully and know how to spot opportunities to win on appeal. You can be confident with us on your side.
Our record of success speaks for itself. In one case, we represented a woman who was convicted of the murder of her infant son and sentenced to 25 years in prison. We appealed the case. We found that a critical error was made in the jury instructions. Our appeal was successful and the conviction was overturned.
Start the Fight With a Free Initial Consultation
If you are ready to fight back against a conviction, our Bloomington, Illinois, appeals and writs attorneys are ready to help. Call us at 309-807-0373 or e-mail us.
