Most criminal defense lawyers have relatively limited experience with federal criminal appeals. At the Newark, New Jersey, and New York law firm of James S. Friedman, LLC, Mr. Friedman is an exception. An experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney with many jury trials to his credit, he also represents clients in federal criminal appeals.
Grounds for a Federal Appeal
Federal appeals are frequently undertaken on the same basis as state appeals. The grounds for a criminal appeal can include:
- Denial of a motion to suppress evidence
- Denial of a motion to suppress a defendant's statement to law enforcement
- Denial of a motion to dismiss the charges
- Evidence disappeared or was tampered with prior to trial
- New evidence materialized but was not disclosed to the defense attorney or used at trial
- The trial court's jury charge was wrong
- The sentence imposed was illegal
- Improper comments by the prosecutor to the jury
Like state appeals, federal appeals are based on the trial record. Mr. Friedman analyzes the trial record thoroughly, looking for errors and irregularities that can reverse a client's criminal conviction or lessen their sentence.
Changes in Federal Sentencing Guidelines May Be the Basis for an Appeal
The United States Supreme Court has recently ruled that federal sentencing guidelines should be advisory rather than mandatory. This change in the law may give a criminal defendant a strong issue for a criminal appeal. An experienced federal criminal appeals lawyer can determine whether an individual client has sufficient grounds for appeal based upon this change in the law.
Appearing in Federal Appeals Courts in New York and New Jersey
Mr. Friedman handles appeals arising from the misapplication of sentencing guidelines and all other federal criminal issues in the federal appeals courts of New Jersey and New York. He has undertaken appeals for clients with a variety of federal offenses.
Honest and Realistic Advice
Whatever the issue and wherever he appears, attorney James Friedman is always sensitive to the cost of legal action. He advises clients about their chances of success, providing them with the information they need to decide whether to proceed with an appeal.
If you have received an adverse ruling in a federal criminal matter, contact Mr. Friedman at 866-484-1906 (toll free) to schedule a consultation and discuss a federal criminal appeal.
