Criminal Appeal Lawyers

Achieving Victories at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court

Your Trusted Minneapolis Criminal Appeal Lawyers

CHALLENGING YOUR CONVICTION AND PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE

While it may seem final, a criminal conviction is not always the last decision on your guilt or innocence. You have the right to appeal your conviction. As a former Assistant Attorney General, and having worked under numerous judges in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Minnesota criminal appeal attorney Max. Keller has considerable experience handling appellate cases for criminal convictions. Max has argued more than 40 cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. He was the first Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to win an appeal in a Felony DWI case in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

With extensive experience handling extensive experience handling criminal appeals and Petitions for Post-Conviction Relief, we have the necessary skill set to draft and put forth strong briefs arguing the trial mistakes that occurred, as well as how the law specifies the appellate court should see them made right.

We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.

(952) 913-1421

What Do Appeal Attorneys Do?

Standing Up To Miscarriages Of Justice

Appellate or appeal lawyers file briefs for review by the appellate court. The best appeal lawyers will present facts, evidence, and legal arguments to show that the lower court’s decision or the jury’s verdict was a miscarriage of justice. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our appeal attorneys present files and briefs arguing the merits of the law as they apply to our clients’ cases.

Veteran criminal appeals lawyers know that, when arguing an appeal to the court of appeals or the Minnesota Supreme Court, they are stuck with the facts (“the record”) from the trial court. However, there is a way around this problem. If you have new evidence you want the courts to consider, we can file a Petition for Post Conviction Relief to show, for example, that evidence was never tested, your attorney committed ineffective assistance of counsel, or that a key witness recanted his/her trial testimony and now says you are not guilty.

Contact a Minnesota appellate lawyer at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help challenging your conviction.

Call: (952) 913-1421

Common Reasons For a Criminal Appeal in Minnesota

Advocating For Clients Pre- and Post-Conviction

While simply disagreeing with the decision does not alone give you grounds to challenge the court’s ruling, several factors may warrant a higher court overturning a prior conviction. If your conviction was based on insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, your constitutional rights were violated, or if your sentencing exceeds the state’s guidelines, the court may see fit to approve your appeal and overturn the conviction.

Why Hire Our Minnesota Appeal Attorneys?

Background

Appellate attorney Max Keller worked for three judges at the Court of Appeals before entering private practice.

Experience

Our criminal appeal law firm has argued more than 40 cases before the Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court.

Diligence

Our appellate attorneys understand how to carefully draft and prepare the necessary briefs to support our clients’ conviction challenges.

How Much Does an Appeal Lawyer Cost?

Answering the question, “How much is an appeal lawyer?” depends on several factors. Each appellate lawyer sets his or her own fee schedule, causing them to sometimes vary substantially from one to the next. Often, however, they charge based on billable hours, which typically depend on the complexity of the case.

In addition to attorney fees, you should expect to also pay court fees associated with appealing your criminal conviction. The court may require you to pay a fee of $550 for an extraordinary writ, notice of appeal, petition for writ of certiorari, or petition for discretionary review, as well as $100 for a notice of related appeal fee. Should you successfully appeal your case, you may have the right to ask the court to have the other party pay your associated attorney and court fees

Call Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help with a criminal appeal or Petition for Post-Conviction Relief in Minnesota, (952) 913-1421.

What Is the Process for Appealing a Conviction?

Appealing a criminal conviction is a methodical process that involves specific steps, including the following:

Serve the appeal papers

Within the allowed timeframe, generally no later than 60 days following the initial court ruling, you will initiate your case by submitting the appropriate forms and papers to the other parties involved. These documents will also get filed with the Court of Appeals and district court, or with the involved government agency.

Prepare the records and transcripts

Once the district court receives the paperwork, it will begin preparing a record of what happened in the previous trial. This includes gathering papers filed in conjunction with the case and exhibits presented before the court. In deciding appellate cases, the courts do not generally consider any new evidence.

File the brief

In addition to other information reviewed by the appeals court, you as the appellant will file a written argument, known as a brief. This written argument will describe what occurred during the district court trial, as well as lay out the miscarriage of justice that occurred and why the decision should be reversed, or the case remanded as a result.

Participate in the oral argument or non-oral conference

Once all the necessary documents are submitted, the case is scheduled for an oral argument or non-oral conference before a panel of three judges. At the oral argument, your attorney will appear to explain the argument for your appeal and answer questions posed by the panel. At a non-oral conference, the three judges meet without lawyers present to review and discuss the appeal.

Receive the decision

Typically, within 90 days of the oral argument or non-oral conference, the panel will issue a written opinion explaining the decision on the appeal. After issuing an opinion, the Court of Appeals does not rehear or reconsider appellate cases. However, you may still have options for pursuing your motion with a higher court.

Were your rights violated during your arrest, and you were convicted as a result? Contact the Minnesota criminal appeal attorney at Max Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help, call today.