Appeals Attorney Boston, Achieving Successful Appeal Outcomes For You.
Attorney Susan M. Rayburn is an appellate advocate who has represented many clients in federal and state appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and Massachusetts’s highest and intermediate appellate court.
She has a proven track record of successful results at all stages of your appeal, from pre-trial rulings through post-trial matters. Attorney Rayburn also submits persuasive briefs for amicus curiae in the U.S. Supreme Court and federal and state appellate courts regularly.
When you are accused of a crime and are convicted at trial, a judge or hearing officer must make important interpretations of the law in conducting his or her duties. Some of those decisions could damage the accused’s case. Just remember, these decisions are not the final word. If you have suffered and unfavorable interpretation of the law, you can file an appeal.
When you need to file an appeal for a prior conviction, finding the best, experienced legal representation is in your best interest. With the help of Attorney Rayburn, who is a skilled criminal appeals lawyer, you may be able to have your conviction overturned. As a knowledgeable appeals attorney, she can dissect the trial evidence and decisions made during your trial and work hard to have your appeal granted.
Appeals Lawyer in BOSTON, MA
Trust Attorney Susan M. Rayburn to fight for you at every level. As a criminal appellate attorney, Susan can represent you at trial and will continue representing you on the appellate level. She can also take your case on for an appeal if another attorney at the trial or hearing represented you.
Attorney Rayburn has the vast knowledge and experience to submit writs of certiorari and prohibition at the appellate level in Massachusetts and federally. As a seasoned criminal defense attorney, she will work tirelessly to get the best results possible in your case. Available on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, contact her today for help.
Direct Criminal Appeals
Appeals are requests for change after a conviction from the appellate court. It’s the process of taking your case to a higher reviewing court to overlook errors that may have been committed previously in the trial court. Every citizen can file an appeal after a guilty verdict following a bench or jury trial. In the state of Massachusetts, you have 30 days to decide whether or not you’d like to pursue a direct appeal.
- If you’re appealing a misdemeanor case from county court, the appellate court you will attend is your local circuit court.
- If you’re appealing a felony conviction from your circuit court, then your appellate trial will be held at the district court of appeals.
What is important to understand is that no new evidence is brought into your appellate case. The goal of an appeal is to review the court transcripts, evidence, and other trial information for legal errors and misconduct. Relief can be granted by an appellate case, which could include sending your case back to trial court to take corrective action, conducting a new trial entirely, or vacating the sentence exonerating you as the defendant.
Direct Appeal Issues That CAN Be Raised
As a top, reputable lawyer experienced in appellate court, Attorney Susan M. Rayburn can raise multiple issues to question the verdict of your legal trial.
Some of these could be:
- Your sentence exceeded the maximum punishment allowed by the legislature, or your sentence was improperly charged as a Habitual Felony Offender or Prison Release Re-Offender.
- The court erred when the jury instructions were given to the jury.
- Incorrect restitution amount after a hearing
- Incorrect ruling on a pre-trial issue- for example, a motion to suppress evidence or a motion to dismiss.
- The trial court erroneously failed to excuse a certain jury member who expressed a type of prejudice against the defendant or the case or
- Evidence introduced at your trial was considered insufficient to allow a finding of guilt
the Difference Between Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
Post-conviction relief allows you, as the defendant, to bring in more evidence and raise additional issues after a judgment has already been made on your case. A post-conviction relief case is different as it acts more like a post-trial motion than a direct appeal. The motion isn’t filed with the appellate court but trial court. It’s normally used to address issues in the case that were unclear during your trial.
A post-conviction relief motion is often filed after a lost direct appeal. If you, as the defendant, are granted post-conviction relief, you may be released from custody, receive a new trial, or have your sentence modified. Numerous issues can be raised during a post-conviction relief motion:
- New DNA evidence
- Your judgment violated state or federal laws.
- Your sentence was more severe than the legislation allows.
- Evidence of perjury
- The court that oversaw your case did not have lawful jurisdiction to impose judgment.
- Misconduct by the jurors
- Prosecutorial misconduct
- Your plea was not entered voluntarily
- Newly discovered evidence that can challenge the prosecution’s case
If you suffer from a negative decision by a judge or hearing officer, having an honest, experienced attorney on your side who understands the appeals can make a significant difference in your case. Attorney Rayburn has handled many successful appeals. When your future is at stake, please call us for help today.
APPEALS
- Federal
- State
As one of the most respected and recognized criminal defense attorneys in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Attorney Rayburn, with years of criminal defense experience, has an excellent record of favorable outcomes for her clients, whether through dismissals, negotiated resolutions, or jury trials.
Attorney Susan M. Rayburn effectively and aggressively represents people accused of a wide array of criminal offenses, including crimes of violence, firearms offenses, robbery, drug trafficking, possessory offenses, white collar crimes, major felonies and misdemeanors, grand jury subpoenas, restraining orders, and clerk magistrate hearings.
