Washington D.C. Federal Appeals Attorney

Why consider our team for your 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.

If you have been convicted of a federal crime in Washington D.C., you have the right to appeal. While the prosecution team, district judge, and federal agencies aim to provide defendants with a fair and legal trial, they are still human. This means they could overlook some aspects of the law or make a mistake that will give you grounds for an appeal.

Not all criminal cases will qualify for an appeal. However, you should contact a Washington, D.C. federal criminal appeals attorney after you are sentenced and convicted. Most defendants do not have the knowledge or legal experience to spot errors made in court.

Thankfully, the federal appeals lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. can do this for you. We will go over every aspect of your trial in detail. Afterward, if we find grounds for appeal, our legal team will defend your rights and make sure your interests are represented in the appellate court.

What to Expect From the Federal Criminal Justice System in Washington D.C.

The criminal justice system in Washington D.C. is unique in that it is all federal. For defendants who are accused of breaking federal laws, this means they are at risk for more severe penalties and sentencing. They could face long sentences in prison along with heavy fines. Adding to this, individuals that are processed in federal court will have to deal with federal agencies that have successfully convicted criminal defendants for years.

The resources and skills of federal agents, and the prosecution team aiding them, can be intimidating. Because of this, defendants usually decide to take a plea bargain to avoid heavy sentencing. If you take an alternative path and fight your criminal charges in Washington D.C. you will be sent to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The location of the D.C. federal courthouse is at 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20001, Room 1225. Winning your case at this district court is ideal, but not all defendants can clear their names at this stage in the process. In fact, you might have been unfairly convicted. Again, legal mistakes can be made, even in the federal criminal justice system. If you suspect your case was mishandled in the district court, filing an appeal will be the next step in the legal process.

After discussing the details of your trial and establishing grounds for appeal, Oberheiden P.C. will help you create a defense strategy for your case. Your appeal will be heard at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The D.C. Federal Circuit Court is solely responsible for appeals in Washington. They have one courthouse location. It is in the same building as the district court.

The E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in D.C. should be the final destination in your legal journey. However, if you cannot win your case in the Circuit Court of Appeals, your Washington, D.C. federal appeals lawyer may file a motion for rehearing or take your case to the Supreme Court. The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the criminal justice system. While it will be difficult at this high appellate level, Oberheiden P.C. can help you navigate the demands of such an elite court.

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 Federal Appeals Process in Washington D.C.

As you enter the appellate court in Washington D.C. there are a few key facts you should keep in mind. Our legal team will explain federal criminal appeals to you as you file your appeal and prepare your defense strategy. However, you should have a basic understanding of what the appeals process entails. This way you know what to expect and can work towards creating realistic legal goals.

The first thing you should know is that your appeal is not a retrial. Many defendants mistakenly think that an appeal will grant them a brand new trial. Although your case will be reconsidered, you will not go through the same legal procedures as the district court.

No new evidence or testimony can be presented to the appeals court and much of the appeals process will rest on the ability of your Washington, D.C federal appeals attorney. He or she will examine the court records and see what error was made. This will constitute your grounds for appeal. Common grounds for appeal include:

• The trial judge misapplying the law
• Jurors showing misconduct or bias
• The evidence not supporting the final court verdict
• Other legal errors make your conviction questionable

Once we establish legal grounds for your appeal, you will send a Notice of Appeal to the district court and request your trial court records. These records from the district court will be used in your case. Our team will then create a written brief that explains why your conviction should be overturned. The prosecution team will also create a brief that provides reasons why the lower court’s decision was correct.

The panel of appellate judges will go over the trial records and appellate briefs. Your criminal case will then be re-examined based on the legal error(s) made in your initial trial. The final decision will be made behind closed doors. However, your lawyer may be asked to present an oral argument to explain the defense argument you are making.

A final verdict will be sent to you in the mail. If the court believes that an error was made in your trial, possible legal outcomes could include:

• The reversal of your conviction
• They order a brand new trial for your case
• New legal instructions are presented to the lower court

If you cannot get your conviction reversed you can have your lawyer petition for a rehearing in the circuit court. Alternatively, you could appeal to the Supreme Court.

Oberheiden P.C. Handles a Range of Federal Appeals Cases in Washington D.C.

Over the years, our senior lawyers have successfully represented clients in appellate courts across the country, including in the District of Columbia. We have a strong track record and have helped numerous people overturn their criminal convictions. Appellate cases we have handled in Washington D.C. include these areas of the law:

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

Our legal team can also aid you if you have been accused of other federal crimes and need to appeal your case.

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

Contact Oberheiden P.C. for Legal Representation from Washington D.C. Federal Appeal Lawyers

The experienced lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. can guide you through the appeals process and ensure that you follow the deadlines and demands of the appellate court. Defendants do not always realize that the appeals process is time sensitive. Luckily, our team knows when you will need to file your appeal and send out your brief to the appellate court.

If you need to file an appeal, contact our Washington, D.C. federal appeal attorneys through our website today. We can start the appeal process as soon as you are ready to talk. You can also call us at this national phone number: (202) 933-9438. Our team is available on weekdays and the weekend and will answer any important questions you may have about your appeal.