If you or a loved one have been wrongfully convicted or given an extremely harsh sentence, talk with us right away. At Harrison & Hart, LLC, our criminal appeals lawyers will review your trial record. We’ll advise you on whether you have a good reason to appeal and aren’t afraid to fight.
Why Choose Us
Don’t waste time. Ask for help today.
The criminal justice system allows parties to appeal final decisions by a judge or jury. But only in certain circumstances. You have to prove a legal mistake, juror misconduct, or an ineffective lawyer led to the wrong outcome in your case.
You can’t appeal simply because you disagree with the outcome. You need valid grounds, and you need to find them immediately.
Call us right away. Our criminal appeals lawyers need time to gather your trial record, scrutinize every detail, and determine if there’s evidence of one or more legal errors.
State and federal courts require you to file in your intent to appeal quickly. If you want to appeal a magistrate or municipal court conviction, you must file a Notice of Appeal with the district court within 15 days. If you were convicted in federal court, you have a 30-day deadline to file a Notice of Appeal.
At Harrison & Hart, LLC, we do everything in our power to make this deadline and uphold your right to a criminal appeal.
Case Results
We dedicate our practice to achieving the best results for our clients, no matter the situation. We know how to negotiate with prosecutors and other attorneys to reach a resolution that will meet your needs.
74 Year Sentence – Vacated
Post-Conviction Relief
Harrison & Hart, LLC represents Deborah Green, who was convicted of kidnapping and child sex offenses. She was initially sentenced to 74 years in prison. Harrison & Hart, LLC filed post-trial motions, conducted an independent investigation, and represented Ms. Green at a lengthy evidentiary hearing, which got her convictions vacated because of Brady violations and the government’s suppression of exculpatory evidence. The court granted a new trial. Our attorneys continued to represent Ms. Green following the post-conviction proceedings, and successfully obtained a dismissal of these charges. Read More
Our Part in the Process
Appealing your conviction or sentence doesn’t give you a new trial. The appellate court only reviews what happened during the trial.
During the appeal, we submit a written brief alleging what we believe went wrong. The appellate court reviews the trial record and decides if they agree with our brief or not.
You can appeal a conviction or a criminal sentence. You also can appeal any final judgment the court made against you.
If you wish to appeal something before a conviction, that’s called an interlocutory appeal. You can petition the appellate court to review a lower court decision, and it may or may not grant your request.
If you believe a judge has made a mistake during your trial, whether it’s your conviction or a previous decision, talk with a criminal appeals lawyer immediately.
You don’t have to rely on the same lawyer who defended you at trial. In fact, many defense attorneys don’t work on appeals. You’re better off reaching out to an attorney who regularly handles the appeal process.
At Harrison & Hart, we routinely work on criminal appeals and are experienced in spotting serious legal mistakes. We know what we’re looking for when we review your trial records.
We may allege one or more legal mistakes happened during your trial. Common errors include:
There are many possible legal errors, but it takes an experienced and thoughtful eye to spot them. We have that experience. But better yet, we care. As we review your trial record, we know your freedom is at stake.
A quick overview of the criminal appeal process includes:
This looks simpler than it is. A criminal appeal is a tough process. It requires thorough preparation by an experienced lawyer who can spot mistakes and present a convincing argument to the appellate court.
The New Mexico appeals court is also full of cases. It may take months for the court to review your case. It’s essential that you talk with a criminal appeals lawyer about what to expect and your options for relief from a wrongful conviction or sentence.
An appeal can result in several outcomes:
The higher court might affirm (agree with) the lower court’s decision, or it may disagree and reverse the decision. A reversal isn’t necessarily the end of the line. Appellate courts often reverse and remand, which means sending the case back to the trial court. You may go through a new trial or a new sentencing hearing.
When you appeal, you may allege more than one legal mistake. The appellate court reviews each allegation, which means it may affirm or reverse each one.
Our Reviews
"Harrison & Hart has represented me in four lawsuits, during which I have continued to be impressed by their intelligence, knowledge of the law and professional integrity. They are creative and shrewd, but honest and forthright. I would confidently take them into any legal battle I faced."
Contact Us
If you believe you’re the victim of a wrongful conviction or unlawful sentence, reach out to Harrison & Hart, LLC at (505) 295-3261. We want to hear from you. We want to know what’s gone on during your trial and how you’ve reached this point. If we can help you with a criminal appeal in New Mexico or federal court, we will.
Contact Us
From our office in Albuquerque, Harrison & Hart, LLC serves clients throughout New Mexico. We are focused on getting you the best outcome possible in the harshest of situations.
