College Park, Maryland Post-Conviction Attorney
Skilled Lawyers for Post-Conviction Relief in College Park, MD
If you have been convicted of a criminal offense, your life may change dramatically. A high fine and a long prison sentence may only represent the beginning of your struggles with the justice system. However, do not assume that you have no recourse after a conviction. A College Park post-conviction relief lawyer can help you explore your options to protect your future.
You may only have a limited amount of time to apply for some forms of post-conviction relief. As such, you should seek out an attorney as soon as possible if you want to challenge or request to modify a judge's sentence. At Salvado Law Offices, we help clients with criminal appeals and other legal remedies after a conviction.
How Can I Request a Modification of My Sentence?
Not all forms of post-conviction relief involve challenging the underlying allegations. If you do not disagree with the judge's verdict, but object to the sentence, you can request a modification of your sentence. This request must be filed within 90 days of your original sentence.
There are different reasons as to why you might request a modification of your sentence. Sometimes, it can involve external circumstances, like health issues or a family crisis. In other cases, there might have been an error in legal procedure, like a punishment that does not align with the statute. You can even petition for a reduction of your sentence based on good behavior or by demonstrating clear remorse.
At Salvado Law Offices, we can represent you in a hearing to request a modification of your sentence. We can analyze the facts of your case and identify possible grounds for a lighter punishment.
Can I Request an Appeal for My Conviction?
If you believe that you were wrongfully convicted of a crime, you have the right to request an appeal in a higher court. The purpose of an appeal is to address errors that were made during your original case. In general, these errors must have been substantial enough to impact the result of your case, such as:
- Ineffective counsel
- Unlawfully admitted evidence
- Misconduct by the judge, jury, or prosecutor
- Lack of evidence to justify the conviction
By filing an appeal, you may be able to get the decision against you changed. This could mean an alteration of the sentence, or a reversal of the judgment altogether. Importantly, an appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judge's sentencing. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to have your case reviewed by a higher court.
What Is a Writ of Coram Nobis?
The long-term effects of a criminal conviction can last well beyond a prison sentence. Unlike most other forms of post-conviction relief, a writ of coram nobis can only be filed when you are not in custody or detention, typically after you have served your sentence. This writ can allow you to correct factual errors that would have potentially altered the outcome of your case.
In most cases, coram nobis petitions are only available after you have exhausted every other option for post-conviction relief. At Salvado Law Offices, we can represent you in a coram nobis hearing, bringing the court's attention to new information or facts that did not arise during your case or the appeals process.
Contact a College Park Post-Conviction Lawyer
At Salvado Law Offices, we can provide you with strong advocacy in criminal defense cases and help you petition for post-conviction relief. We know how devastating a judge's final word can be, so we will do everything in our power to help safeguard your rights. Call us at 301-933-1814 or contact us online to set up a free consultation today.