Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Federal Appeals Attorney
1515 Market Street Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
888-680-1745
Federal Appeals Team Lead
Former Deputy Chief, Appellate Division
Federal Appeals Team Lead
Partner & Yale Graduate
Federal Appeals Team Lead
Contact NickWhy consider our team for your Philadelphia Pennsylvania Federal Appeals Attorney? Keywords Enter Keyword Add federal appeals attorney federal appeals lawyer Philadelphia Pennsylvania Federal Appeals Attorney Close & use selected keywordsCancel federal appeals case?
- Our team has been involved in over 500 federal appeals cases.
- Over 50 years of combined frontline experience.
- You will work directly with your senior attorney from day one — no junior attorneys or assistants.
You have the right to appeal your criminal conviction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although some people might hesitate to use this legal option, not appealing could have major repercussions. Defendants who are found guilty of a federal crime could lose their fundamental rights, have their reputation ruined, have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, and miss employment opportunities, not to mention facing jail time and a criminal fine.
Knowing what is at stake, you should contact a legal professional for guidance. The federal criminal appeals lawyers at the national defense firm Oberheiden P.C. can help you safely move through the appellate court as you challenge your verdict.
What to Expect From the Federal Criminal Justice System
Your legal journey in the federal criminal justice system will start with a thorough investigation from federal authorities. If they gather enough incriminating evidence to establish probable cause, you will be charged and arrested by agents from either the DOJ, DEA, IRS, FBI, DHS, or other agencies. In most cases, defendants will take a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial and harsh punishments.
If you do not take a plea bargain, your trial will take place in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. There are four court locations in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Defendants whose case started in Philadelphia will generally have their trial in the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse located at 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA.
You might be able to win your criminal case and clear your name in the district court. However, going up against the power and resources that these federal agencies bring to a case is challenging. If you get convicted, you can appeal this setback.
If you believe that your trial was mishandled you have the right to make an appeal. Appeals cases in Philadelphia will be heard at the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The Third Circuit has jurisdiction over federal appeals in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
You will not have to appear in the appellate court, personally, but your federal criminal appeals lawyer might be summoned for an oral argument at the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse. This is the same courthouse that houses the district court that held your trial.
The appeals team at Oberheiden P.C. will use our vast experience and knowledge to get you the appellate results that you are looking for. If the Third Circuit Court rules against you at the end of your appeal, we can try to bring your case to the Supreme Court for its review. Note, however, the United States Supreme Court hears few cases, so the chances of such a hearing are quite low.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former DOJ Trial Attorney
Partner
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Hon. Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)
Government Consultant
Mike Pompeo
Of Counsel
Former U.S. Secretary of State
John W. Sellers
Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney
Linda Julin McNamara
Federal Appeals Attorney
Nicholas B. Johnson
Former Prosecutor
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (DOJ)
Chris J. Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Michael S. Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
The Appeals Process in Pennsylvania
Because the appellate process is rarely depicted in popular TV shows or the movies, the appellate judges and your appellate attorney are among the relatively few people who really understand the appeals process. As a result, we suggest hiring strong legal representation after your trial to ensure that your case is handled properly during the appeal.
Importantly, an appeal does not follow the same rules and guidelines as the district court. You will not get a retrial during your appeal. Instead, the appeals judges will review your case and see whether mistakes were made in the district court.
Our team will look for these legal errors to give your case grounds for an appeal. If the trial judge or prosecution team made a mistake, then your conviction or sentencing might not be fair. Grounds for an appeal could include the following:
- Jurors showing misconduct or bias
- The district judge misapplying the law
- The evidence used against you did not support the guilty verdict
- Unresolved legal issues make your conviction questionable
After you talk to our law firm, we will connect you to one of our qualified Philadelphia, Pennsylvania federal appeal lawyers. They will help you file a Notice of Appeal. This notice will be sent to the district court for processing. The circuit court and the prosecution team will also be notified about your intent to appeal.
During the appeal process, there will be no new jury, evidence, or testimony. The decision of the court will be based almost entirely on the existing yrial record and the legal arguments made by both sides. Your appellate lawyer will write a brief that explains which legal error was made in the trial court and that aims to persuade the appellate court that the mistake was serious enough to warrant overruling your conviction or sentence.
We might focus on one specific court error or multiple errors that impacted the outcome of your trial. Legal issues that were not properly resolved might also be brought up in the brief. Once we fully explain your grounds for appeal, it will be up to the judges to reverse your sentencing or conviction.
The prosecution team will make their own arguments in a separate brief. Usually, the briefs are enough to settle your case. However, the circuit court judges could ask for an oral argument to be presented. If one is scheduled, we will prepare a strong presentation for the appellate court.
The circuit judges will come to a final decision after looking over both sides’ arguments and briefs. They will send you their verdict in the mail. If you win your appeal you could get a reversal of your conviction, new legal instructions could be sent to the district court, or a new trial could be ordered. On the other hand, if the judges do not rule in your favor, your conviction will be affirmed.
Criminal Cases That Oberheiden P.C. Handles
Oberheiden P.C. has assisted clients in federal courts across the country. If you want to reverse your conviction or sentencing, you can trust our team to help you with the following types of accusations:
- Conspiracy
- Money laundering
- Import/Export Violations
- Tax evasion
- Embezzlement
- Healthcare fraud
- Securities fraud
- Drug crimes
- Mail and wire fraud
- Bribery
- Public corruption offenses
- Other white-collar crimes
The senior lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. are ready to defend you. Whether you are still fighting your charges in the district court or need new counsel to bring your case to the circuit court, we will provide you with unwavering legal support. Our team will relentlessly fight for your rights, even if you do not get the results you are looking for right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Appeals and Oberheiden P.C.
Why Should I Hire a Federal Appeals Lawyer From Oberheiden, P.C.?
We recommend hiring an experienced Philadelphia, Pennsylvania federal appeals lawyer who understands the procedures of the appellate court. Although a trial attorney can defend your freedom in the district court, they might not be qualified to represent you in the circuit court, as the appeals process is complex and difficult to navigate without the right legal knowledge and skill set.
Thankfully, our appellate lawyers can analyze your case and defend your rights. We will comb through your trial transcripts from start to finish and search for important details that could help you overturn your guilty verdict.
Looking for trial errors can be tedious work and lawyers who are not well-versed in appeals could overlook crucial legal issues or mistakes. That is why we suggest hiring experienced federal criminal appeals attorneys from our law firm.
Oberheiden P.C. has represented clients in the appellate courts for years. In fact, many of our senior lawyers have worked inside some of the same federal agencies that may be prosecuting your own case. They know exactly what to expect from the prosecution team and the appeals process.
How Will an Appeals Lawyer Improve the Outcome of My Case?
Appeals lawyers possess key skills and a close familiarity with the law that could impact the outcome of your case. That is why it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side.
More specifically, your Philadelphia, Pennsylvania federal appeals attorney will assess your case and see if you have grounds for an appeal. If you do, they will help you proceed with your case and meet important court deadlines. Your Notice of Appeal must be filed within 14 days of your sentencing. Our team will make sure you have everything ready for the district court by this deadline. Not turning in your appeal on time could mean that you forfeit your right to appeal.
To improve the outcomes of your case, appeal lawyers will also do research and look up laws that are relevant to your case. This could include federal statutes and case law. We will put our knowledge to use and communicate clearly to the appellate court. Our appeals lawyers also have superb written and oratory skills that they use to present your case in the best way possible.
Why Does Oberheiden P.C. Not Call Ourselves the Best Appeals Law Firm?
While Oberheiden P.C. has a successful track record in the federal appellate courts, we suggest reading through the testimonials written by our previous clients. This is the best way to find out whether we are the right law firm for your appeals case.
Contact the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Federal Appeal Lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. Today for Legal Counsel
Oberheiden P.C. can give you sound legal counsel as you enter the appeals process. If you want to discuss your legal options, contact our law firm online or call us at (888) 680-1745. We will schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Figuring out what you should do after a federal conviction can be stressful, but our team will get your appeal started and prepare your case for the appellate court.
