Jacksonville Federal Appeals Attorney

Jacksonville meeting location – by appointment only: We do NOT accept mail or service at this location.
13475 Atlantic Blvd. Unit 8
Jacksonville, FL 32225
888-680-1745

**Attorney Linda Julin McNamara**
Jacksonville Federal Appeals Team Lead
Former Deputy Chief, Appellate Division

Why consider one of our team for your Jacksonville federal appeals lawyer?

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.

Jacksonville federal appeal attorneys at the national defense firm Oberheiden, P.C. can help you overturn your conviction or sentencing in Jacksonville, Florida. Some defendants might accept the court’s verdict, but you have the right to appeal if errors were made during your criminal trial.

Finding grounds for an appeal can be challenging, though. You will need to hire qualified Jacksonville federal appeal attorneys who understand the procedures of the appeals court and have enough legal expertise and appeals experience to spot important legal details.

Thankfully, our law firm meets these qualifications. Oberheiden, P.C. has successfully represented clients in the trial and appeals courts since the firm’s inception. With our help, you can safeguard your rights and seek the justice you deserve.

The Federal Criminal Justice System in Florida

As defendants enter the federal criminal justice system in Florida, it is important they acknowledge the severity of their situation. Your criminal charges fall under the jurisdiction of powerful federal agencies like the DOJ, DEA, FBI, IRS, and DHS.

Since you are being accused of breaking federal law, you should expect the legal process to be more complex and intense. Federal government authorities will take an interest in your case. In fact, investigators may spend years gathering evidence to present in court.

As a result, the majority of defendants take a plea deal after they are charged and arrested by federal agents in Florida. This legal bargain can reduce serious charges and penalties, but you will have to plead guilty to the accusations made against you.

If you decide to clear your name and challenge your charges by taking your case to trial, your case will be heard by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. There are five courthouse locations where your trial can be held in this district. However, defendants who have been charged in Jacksonville will likely go to the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse located at 300 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, Florida.

Defendants who have any doubts about their sentencing or conviction can take their case to the next stage of the federal criminal justice system. Appeals cases in Jacksonville are reviewed at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. This circuit court has jurisdiction over Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Unfortunately, criminal trials are not always conducted fairly or correctly. Legal errors can be made by the trial court and other professionals handling your trial. That is why we suggest consulting our law firm about the appeals process after your sentencing.

A federal appeal is a structured legal pathway for appealing decisions made in U.S. District Courts. It is essential to have an experienced Jacksonville federal appeal lawyer to navigate the complexities of the U.S. Court of Appeals and potentially escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court. The appellate review process is designed to identify and correct these legal errors, ensuring that justice is served.

Once you submit your appeal, the Eleventh Circuit judges will likely reconsider the district court’s verdict from its own offices at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse. This is in the same courthouse as the district court that held your trial. However, you will generally not have to physically appear before the circuit judges.

Our Jacksonville federal appeals lawyer will prepare your appeal to the best of his or her abilities. If you are not satisfied with your appellate results, we can bring your case before the Supreme Court.

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)

What to Expect During the Appeal Process

Defendants have the opportunity to bring their case to a new court during the criminal appeal. However, you will not get a brand new trial or jury. Instead, a panel of appeals judges will reassess your original verdict.

The aim of the appellate court is not to prove or disprove your innocence. Really, their true goal is to see whether the district court conducted a fair trial, as any legal mistakes made by the court could put your conviction in doubt.

Understanding the appellate procedure is crucial, as it dictates the specific legal requirements and deadlines that govern the appeals process. This way you can proceed with your appeal and fight for your freedom. Common grounds for an appeal might include some of the following situations:

Jurors did not conduct themselves properly
The district judge did not apply the law correctly
Evidence used in court does not sufficiently prove your guilt
Unresolved legal issues or other errors make the court’s verdict questionable

Filing a Notice of Appeal is the first step of this legal process. Our team will help you file the document within fourteen days of your sentencing. Once the district court, appellate court, and prosecution team are notified about the appeal, we can start requesting your court records and the trial transcript. We will use these to help us research your case and prove you have grounds for an appeal.

Since there is no new evidence or testimony, the core of your case will revolve around your appellate brief. Your attorney will write the brief and highlight the specific errors or legal issues present in your case. Each circuit court has a word limit for the brief. So, we must succinctly explain how the trial court made an error and why your verdict should be reversed. The prosecution team will write their own brief and try to make the opposite argument.

Oral arguments could be requested if your case is more complicated or enough details were not included in the brief. Your lawyer will prepare for these oral arguments and present your case to the panel judges. Each side has 15 minutes to speak.

After the briefs, arguments, and relevant facts are considered by the judges, they will send their final decision through the mail. Defendants who win their appeal could get a reversal of their conviction, new legal instructions for the district court, or a brand new trial.

Criminal Cases That Our Law Firm Handles

Oberheiden P.C. has extensive experience with criminal cases in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the years, our team has worked with a wide range of clients and helped them meet their legal needs. This includes a variety of appeals cases that involved the following charges:

Drug crimes
Bribery
Conspiracy
Tax evasion
Money laundering
Import/Export Violations
Embezzlement
Securities fraud
Mail and wire fraud
Healthcare fraud
Public corruption offenses
Other white-collar crimes

Whether you are dealing with these federal charges or other criminal offenses, we can help you defend yourself in appellate court. Our law firm understands the importance of the appeals process and knows the risks involved as you attempt to challenge the district court’s decision. Circuit courts handle appeals from trial courts and oversee various cases, including family law and civil cases, highlighting their crucial role in the federal appellate process. Once you contact us, we can discuss your defense strategy and begin filing your Notice of Appeal with the best legal representation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Appeals and Oberheiden, P.C.

How Long Does the Appeal Process Take?

Federal criminal appeals have no time limit. Once you have submitted your notice and brief, the judges on the appellate court can take as much time as they want to review your case. What this means is that there is no exact time frame for an appeal.

Some defendants with relatively straightforward cases see around six months pass from filing their Notice of Appeal to receiving the circuit court’s decision. However, depending on the complexity of your case you could end up waiting a year or even longer to get a final verdict. Our law firm will do everything we can to move this process along.

We will present proof to the judges that clearly explains your case. But, the length of the appeals process will vary, especially if the judges decide that they need more time to look over the briefs and court records.

What Happens if I Lose My Appeals Case?

Our Jacksonville federal appeal lawyers will do their best to present your case to the circuit court judges and explain why the lower court’s decision was unjust. However, there is a chance that you could lose your appeals case. If this happens, the federal appellate courts will affirm your conviction or sentencing.

In this situation, you could accept the outcome of your appeal. This could be the right step for defendants that cannot prove a mistake was made during their trial. But, if you know that an error or legal issue was present in your case, we will represent you in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court only hears a small number of cases each year. Still, defendants who have had their rights violated can appeal to this higher court. On the other hand, if a mistake was made by the circuit court, you could motion for a rehearing. If you get a rehearing, the appeals judges will reconsider their decision and see if they overlooked any crucial details in your case.

Why Does Oberheiden P.C. Not Call Itself the Best Appeals Law Firm?

While we could tell you we are the best law firm in the country, this would not do you much good. Oberheiden P.C. has helped clients across the country win their cases in federal court. However, we suggest reading through these testimonials from our previous clients to find out if we have the expertise to represent you as your Jacksonville federal appeals attorney.

Contact Oberheiden, P.C. Today for Legal Counsel in Jacksonville, Florida

If you have been convicted of a federal crime, obtaining an experienced Jacksonville federal appeals attorney should be your top priority. We understand that the appeals process can be stress-inducing and expensive, but this is not something you should delay. The sooner you talk with a qualified lawyer, the sooner you can make preparations for the appellate court and get back to your life. Schedule a legal consultation with us today to discuss your case.

Oberheiden, P.C. is ready to assist you with your appeals case today. Our law firm can be contacted through our website or national phone number: (888) 680-1745. You can also fill out our online contact form to quickly schedule a free consultation with our team.