Blog

April 6, 2022

In our last entry, we discussed the most frequently raised issue seen in post-conviction cases in State courts and in Federal courts across the country. The issue is "ineffective assistance of counsel," as most prominently recognized in Strickland v. Washington, the United States Supreme Court case around which so much of post-conviction litigation revolves.

Jan. 26, 2022

Last month, the "direct appeal" process was defined and briefly - no pun intended - explained. In this entry, we will now focus on "direct appeal briefs."

Jan. 26, 2022

In our last entry, we examined the general parameters of the State post-conviction process. In this entry, we will summarize what issues post-conviction lawyers look to raise most, when crafting Arizona Rule 32 or Arizona Rule 33 motions.

Jan. 26, 2022

In previous entries, we examined the "direct appeal" process. However, losing one's direct appeal does not mean all hope for overturning a conviction, or reducing a lengthy sentence, is lost.

Dec. 16, 2021

In the last three parts of this Blog, we considered the organization of the trial and appellate courts. In this entry, we will now focus on "post-conviction" courts.

Dec. 16, 2021

In the last two entries for this Blog, we considered the organization of the trial and appellate courts which comprise the criminal justice system. In this entry, we will now focus on "direct appeal courts."

Dec. 16, 2021

In the last Blog entry, we considered the organization of the trial courts, appellate courts and post-conviction courts which comprise the criminal justice system. When diagramed, it looks like this:

Dec. 2, 2021

In nearly 30 years of handling criminal and civil appeals, and post-conviction litigation in several States and in our Federal court system, what I hear most often from clients is that the single thing they want more than anything else is for their attorney to be easily accessible to them.

Dec. 2, 2021

How is the criminal justice system organized? How many possible chances do you have to appear in front of a judge? If you lose your trial, how many appeals do you really have? How many opportunities are there for you to assert your innocence, explain the injustices in your case, and argue for your freedom, or a reduced sentence after a conviction you believe is flawed?