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Tough Cases Deserve Tough Representation

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Appeals

If you have been found guilty of a crime in Illinois or the federal courts and are dissatisfied with the proceedings of your trial, then you have the right to file an appeal. This right is guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

A criminal appeal requires an entirely different set of skills than fighting a case in the trial court. Appellate attorneys must review the entire record of the trial proceedings and search for errors. These errors, which may be grounds for an appeal, can occur when:

  • The trial judge erroneously admitted or excluded certain evidence

  • The jury received improper instructions from the court

  • The trial judge made improper rulings on objections, motions or other matters

  • The police did not follow proper procedure

  • Prosecutorial misconduct occurred

  • Your constitutional rights were violated

  • The sentence you received was unjust

Don't Let a Mistake
Ruin Your Life

In a criminal appeal, written briefs are submitted. These briefs contain written arguments of law that attempt to persuade the appellate court to reverse the findings of the trial court and/or the jury’s verdict. Oral arguments are also presented to clarify the arguments presented in the briefs.

To properly prepare a successful appeal, you need an attorney who is familiar with the rules and procedures of the appellate process. You also need an attorney who has excellent writing ability as well as oral advocacy skills. Appellate attorney Eric J. Bell has handled many different types of criminal appeals – from complex drug conspiracy issues to death penalty matters. My various experiences as a former staff attorney for the Circuit Court of Cook County and as an active trial attorney have made me uniquely skilled at spotting errors in the trial court.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with a criminal appeal, contact me for a free initial confidential consultation.

Post-Conviction Remedies

Criminal appeals are limited to the record from the original trial. However, post-conviction remedies are not so limited. There are various types of post-conviction remedies: newly-discovered evidence petitions; motions of new trial; habeas corpus petitions; post-conviction petitions; and petitions for executive clemency. They are all unique and they all have their own specific purpose. Post-conviction remedies can be utilized to establish:

  • Actual innocence

  • Prosecutorial misconduct occurred

  • Certain trial witnesses were not truthful

  • Certain trial facts were incorrect

  • Your sentence was unjust

  • Other violations of your constitutional rights occurred

I have extensive experience with various post-conviction remedies and have successfully obtained relief for several of my clients through these processes.

Contact me for a free initial confidential consultation to determine which of these remedies is appropriate for you.

Reach out now

Tell me more about your situation and request a time to meet and discuss the details.