Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief
Experienced Criminal Appellate Attorneys in St. Petersburg
After a verdict has been rendered in a criminal case, you may have heard a judge say “you have 30 days from the date of this judgment and sentence to appeal.” This means that you may be able to overturn a conviction or alter a sentence if there was some external factor that negatively impacted the result of your case.
Our criminal appellate attorneys In St. Petersburg can review your case and determine if you have grounds for an appeal or post-conviction relief. We have nearly 40 years of combined experience and thoroughly investigate all of our cases. You only have a limited time to file a plea, so if you plan to try for one it is important to talk with an attorney as soon as possible.
We are available 24/7 and offer free consultations. Call (727) 202-4858 to schedule a meeting with our team today.
Identifying Grounds for Your Appeal
Proving that you suffered mistreatment in court is not always easy. You cannot file a successful appeal just because you are dissatisfied with your sentence or unhappy with how the prosecution treated you. You and your attorney must prove that your case was impacted by an error or unlawful behavior.
The following are some common grounds for appeal:
- Your attorney was late to court, did not research the case, and/or rarely contacted you in the lead up to your trial (legal malpractice)
- You requested a motion to continue your trial but were denied
- Unlawfully obtained evidence was used against you during your trial
- The jury was not given proper instructions
- Your sentence exceeds the statutory maximum for the offense
- Your case was sent to a jury trial even though the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence for one
Filing an appeal takes time and all of the paperwork must be filled out accurately and submitted in a timely fashion. A single mistake could delay your request for an appeal and result in you missing the window of opportunity. Our knowledgeable legal team can help you fill out and file all the forms.
Understanding Post-Conviction Relief Options
Not everyone files an appeal to have their sentence dismissed entirely. Even if you were convicted of a crime and believe you are guilty, that does not mean the sentence you received was entirely fair. It may be possible to have your sentence reduced if you file for one within sixty days since the sentence was rendered. Reduced sentencing is usually awarded in cases where you can present new information that was not presented in trial, such as diagnosis of a mental disorder or addiction.
You may also be able to have your plea withdrawn within the first 30 days of your sentence. Plea deals are a tricky subject in criminal law. A prosecutor may offer you a guilty plea to reduce the charges against you for a lower sentence, but this means that you could be admitting to a crime you did not do. If your plea was coerced or made under duress, you may be able to have it overturned.
Learn more about your options for post-conviction relief and appeals by calling (727) 202-4858 and arranging a free consultation with our experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers.
Proven Advocates for the Clients We Serve
Serving St. Petersburg, FL Since 1998
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"OUTSTANDING SERVICE"Thank you to the staff of the Fleming Law Group for outstanding service. I am grateful for the care and attention Attorney Lucas Fleming gave my case. Calls, emails, and texts were quickly answered.- PJ
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"The Most amazing lawyer and team Amanda, Pam are the most experienced and truly leave no stone unturned!!"This office this Team surpasses any others out there!I have known Mr Fleming for years through others and Amanda , Pam and Mr Fleming will go above in beyond and will not stop until wrongs are approached and dealt with in the most fair unclouded non judged mental way possible if you care about your loved ones or yourself this is the office and group you want and need in having you and your loved ones back..huge difference between this team than ANY other team.. Thank you !! Regards Lisa and the Boys.- Lisa Perez
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"Attorneys and staff are amazing, do everything in their best interest of the client"Staff is great, pleasant and gets back in a very timely manner. Attorneys will do everything in their power to get the best possible outcome for your case. 10/10- Richard Costi
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"He is not only knowledgeable but truly a professional who cares."I will forever be grateful for the help Mr. Fleming gave when I desperately needed a lawyer for a family member. He was very generous with his time and explained every step of the process. He is not only knowledgeable but truly a professional who cares.- Beth Capozzelli
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"I have no issue recommending this firm to all who are in need. Fantastic service!"I have no issue recommending this firm to all who are in need. Fantastic service!- Geoff
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"If I didn't have them by my side, I don't know what I would have done."They did a great job preparing my case and won because all of the things said about me were proven wrong. They were aggressive in defending me and always had my back.- Previous Client
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"I don't know what I would have done without Mr. Fleming's help."I don't know what I would have done without Mr. Fleming's help. He truly cares about people and spent so much time with me to make sure I was making the right decision.- Previous Client
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"Mr. Fleming can help you. I don't know what I would have done without him."I would not know what to do if it were not for his guidance.- Kay
