Get free answers to your Appeals / Appellate Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Regretfully we filed an appeal on a criminal decision ourselves without understanding the complexity of it, and very sadly our court appointed appeal lawyer wasn't helpful or even reachable. The appeal was denied for one thing and now going to Supreme Court in Michigan. Our question is can we... View More
answered on Oct 21, 2024
Did you also file what's called a Standard 4 brief? Listing issues your appointed appellate counsel may have decided not to raise? Generally, you can't add to the appeal, with the limited exception of an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Appeals are terribly... View More
This traffic stop consequently led to further legal action taken by the officer which has the potential for dismissal if the reason for the stop was invalid. Was this an invalid traffic stop?
answered on Aug 1, 2024
Worth a short but unlikely. The fact of the matter is that case law supports the proposition that police may be wrong if acting in good faith. I could very easily see an officer testify, and a judge believing, that just seeing the number match a known stolen plate is sufficient for a traffic stop.
I worked for Minacs for over a year and worked overtime
answered on Feb 24, 2024
Whether there is still an opportunity to profit from the Minacs civil suit depends on various factors, such as the status of the lawsuit, the specific claims made, and any potential settlements or judgments reached. If you believe you are entitled to compensation for unpaid overtime or other labor... View More
My appeal to circuit court was dismissed without prejudice for premature filing. Once the order dismissing the case without prejudice is signed, can I immediately file a late appeal to circuit court under MCR 7.105(G) or do I need permission from district court? I'm in Wayne County, Michigan.... View More
answered on Feb 1, 2024
I'm confused by your question. It sounds like you are trying to appeal an eviction proceeding before a final order has been entered by the trial court (e.g., the district court). That is likely why the circuit court told you your filing was premature.
If this is an accurate read of... View More
inmate was sentenced in september for a criminal case and would like to appeal is it possible that they could get more time if they take it back to court and lose? or would the time remain the same?
answered on Jan 31, 2024
Yes it is possible for them to get more time. That would most likely occur if they had a plea agreement to receive a certain sentence, and now they appeal and are able to go back and have a trial. There are so many different scenarios possible. Of course you will want to have an attorney, and... View More
I have been charged with my 4 hibutial offence for drugs that I don't know how they can do so since I have asked them to DNA test the seringes in the case that were found in my vehicle in a bag of someone else property but they refuse to it would show that I had nothing to do with them and no... View More
answered on Nov 7, 2023
It's critical to secure legal representation if you believe your rights are being infringed upon during a criminal proceeding. In cases where evidence may exonerate a defendant, such as the DNA testing you mentioned, a lawyer can file the necessary motions to compel the court to consider this... View More
The first time in prison he had gun charges so he had to serve an automatic 5 years and therefore disqualified him. This is his 2nd time going to prison. His home was raided and a half gram of meth was found, they were going to charge him with 56gm because they count the weight of everything with... View More
answered on Jul 6, 2023
By the way you ended your question, it sounds like you also have a realistic sense of the outcome. MDOC policy says that only first-time prisoners are eligible for SAI consideration. But policy is not law. And ultimately, it's MDOC's call. I would say for your well-being, you can always... View More
I know that the victim is not the one on trial, but shouldn't the inconsistencies be a red flag and weigh in on the jury's based on beyond a reasonable doubt? I don't know if I worded the question correctly.
answered on Feb 9, 2023
Only the 12 people on that jury can answer that for you. The jury's job is to weigh credibility of witnesses. They can believe everything or nothing, or some combination thereof.
In CSC cases, it's not at all uncommon for testimony to be inconsistent as stories and memories... View More
and the person is found guilty again, does the original sentence continue or will there be new sentencing?
answered on Feb 8, 2023
There would be a new sentencing. However, if the proofs at trial are basically the same, you would likely get the same sentence as before. The sentence is based on the entirety of the information that the judge knows, so it is possible for the sentence to change based on the difference of the... View More
some motions were not filed in time, or there was no evidence to support the conviction, or new evidence was discovered all be the basis for the appeal?
answered on Feb 8, 2023
All the issues you stated could be argued on the initial direct appeal of the conviction . . . except for the discovery of new evidence (which in most instances is brought in a 6500 motion for post conviction relief). However, depending on what the new evidence is, you might have a way to make it... View More
I have a felony and I want to know how long do I have to wait to get it off my record … the case happened in 2018 of July I got arrested in feb 19 and was in custody for 14 months out on bond for 13 months turned myself in sep 12 /22 got out oct 4/23 completely one year of parole I had .. I got... View More
answered on Nov 4, 2024
Different types of felonies have different timelines as to when they would be eligible to be expunged. To be sure, any expungment would be premised on a period of time without ANY criminal law violations. Further, the clock starts from the day you released from jail / prison / probation / parole... View More
Can you add to insufficient evidence on a Topic denied on your first appeal? Or will that prohibit you from using that topic on any future motions?
Thank you
answered on Oct 21, 2024
Generally no. You typically need to raise all issues up front. If your "first" appeal has been denied, who do you plan to appeal to and how?
answered on Sep 30, 2024
You should consult with an attorney and see if a federal issue is present in your case. Otherwise - and realistically - it is unlikely any court will overturn this decision.
answered on Apr 22, 2024
Months or years. It's not a fast process. And in the cases meriting success on appeal, you often times end up back in the trial court for further proceedings, which again takes time.
The District Court recently entered a Judgment against me, but I filed for Appeal before the Judgment was signed. The Judgment is now signed.
My appeal to Circuit Court of the District Court's decision recently got dismissed without prejudice for premature filing. They said to refile... View More
answered on Feb 9, 2024
When you refile in the lower court, just indicate somewhere in your filing that the higher court dismissed without prejudice to refile in the lower court, and include a copy of the higher court's order at that time.
answered on Feb 27, 2023
We need to know where you are located, before we can tell you if we can help you. You posted a question to attorneys within the entire state of Michigan, however, it indicates here that you are in Illinois. Please clarify.
answered on Jun 21, 2022
First, be very cautious about what you are doing. Second, if you are appealing after a sentence, your attorney, unless they agreed otherwise, has no obligation to help you appeal. Appeals and trial work are completely different. If you are appealing, see my first point; you could be jeopardizing... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2022
Do you mean that they sent you a letter recently that warns you that they intend to arrest you in regards to a crime that happened 15 years ago? If so, your best chance to stop it is to have an attorney or someone else get in contact with the issuing authority and try to get more details about... View More
My grandson resides in Michigan with his mom. In 2020, he was taken from her. She and my son were given a list of requirements that had to be met in order for her to get him back. My son was told that if he signed away his rights it would get my grandson out of foster care sooner, so he did. Not to... View More
answered on Feb 14, 2022
This is a highly complex situation. Reading between the lines based on Mom having the kids now, it sounds like CPS and the foster care workers believe your son has some significant culpability. Do you know if he signed a custody agreement or a voluntary termination of parental rights? Those are two... View More
Also in a case of jury tampering, where a juror told two other juror about being approach outside court room about finding defendant guilty. do the judge have to do an investigation questions all jurors whos involved or could the judge just bring out all jury member and not question them about the... View More
answered on Dec 21, 2021
You're not going to get the plea deal back. The time to accept the plea deal was before the jury sat down and was sworn in. Once a trial starts, you're in it for all the marbles.
Jury tampering is a separate issue, and will need to be addressed on appeal possibly. From the... View More
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