Federal Appeals Lawyer Fourth Circuit

Have you been convicted of a crime in the Federal trial court known as the United States District Court? If so, then you should consult with a lawyer who specializes in federal appeals. If your conviction happened in the states of West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, or Maryland, then you specifically need a federal appeals lawyer for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The attorneys at the firm of Eddington & Worley handle appellate cases across the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, and specifically, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

We focus on identifying and thoroughly researching many different legal issues for federal appeals cases, regardless of whether you got convicted following a plea agreement after a trial. We are very skilled in writing briefs, and we can look over a whole trial record or even a sentencing record following a plea. Identifying legal issues in either of these scenarios are at the heart of what we do. We strive for success in every case, which means we don’t leave anything untouched. If you’re dealing with a federal appeal, then call (281)595-1519 for the best representation, especially considering how high the stakes are with the potential for such serious consequences.

How Does the Criminal Appeal Process Work?

We can expose any issues that your initial lawyer might have missed, as well as things that the judge might have overlooked. Following your consultation, the fourth step in an appeal process is scrutinizing the court records, be it trial, plea, or sentencing. We learn all the issues and details about your case with a thorough examination of court transcripts, motions, and exhibits. Crafting every legal issue for review by the appellate court and doing legal research are the fundamentals of your case, which is why we always start there. The beginning of any effective legal brief is being sure that every single issue gets covered, thanks to comprehensive research.

In every case we handle, we go through multiple drafts of each brief prior to submission to the Court. We do this so that not a single detail gets lost. Case law, legal issues, and a statement of facts (which is your chance to tell your side of the story) all matter when crafting an appellate brief. For that matter, so too do grammar and even sentence and paragraph structure. Your brief gets filed with the Fourth Circuit by both hard copy and electronically. Knowing just how to file things is a crucial component of making the Circuit Court of Appeals deadlines.

What Happens After the Appeal is Filed?

Once we file your brief, the government will then file an answering brief. That gives us the opportunity to draft our own ‘reply’ where we can attack the government’s arguments being posed against you. Every one of these stages proves essential to an appellate argument, which means that every step gets nothing short of meticulous attention from us. We’re experienced in handling the questions that federal appellate judges pose to us.

Oral arguments happening before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals can be a very complex situation for even veteran attorneys. It’s an interactive session that progresses quickly. Here, we advocate on your behalf in front of a panel of several federal judges. They ask questions, which we answer and attempt to persuade them. Preparation is critical considering how limited time is.

Federal appellate courts are different from trial courts. The nature of oral argument means that a federal appellate attorney only has limited time with which to present your case and then answer the questions of the judges. However, more than just answering questions, the oral argument scenario is a chance to persuade members of the court. It’s in this face-to-face interaction with judges that decides your case. It’s the chance for the lawyer to probe the members of the court to see where they might have doubts about any legal arguments brought up in the appellate brief. Every question that a judge asks is a golden opportunity to understand them and hopefully persuade them Our attorneys truly comprehend how important these moments are, and that’s why they’re there for you every step along the way.

The process of federal appeals can be truly confusing, and even admittedly really hard to keep up with. Do not let yourself go through this process by yourself. We have skilled, veteran federal appeals lawyers who can guide you through this process with a constant eye on your best chances at fair justice.

What States are Covered by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals?

You have to appeal specifically to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals when you take a plea deal or get convicted in any of the these United States District Courts:

• U.S. District Court of Maryland (Baltimore, Greenbelt and Salisbury)
• U.S. District Court of South Carolina (Greenville, Columbia and Charleston)
• Eastern District of North Carolina (Raleigh, New Bern, Greenville, and Wilmington)
• Central District of North Carolina (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Durham)
• Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte, Asheville, and Statesville)
• Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond and Newport News)
• Western District of Virginia (Abingdon, Big Stone Gap, Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
• Northern District of West Virginia (Clarksburg, Elkins, Martinsburg, and Wheeling)
• Southern District of West Virginia (Bluefield, Charleston, Huntington, and Beckley)

Cases in all these districts typically come from cities like Charlotte, Baltimore, and Norfolk, among others. Any disposition that is entered into these various courts has to appeal specifically to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. However, you have to act prudently, given your limited window of opportunity. If you sign a plea agreement or get convicted in these various districts, then you only have 30 days to file your notice of appeal. The court requires this, and it does permit you to get your case appealed in a prompt manner. What happens when you don’t file your notice of appeal within 30 days? Contact us right away so we can review your case and take a look at the issues involved, even if your prior attorney did not do so.

What Types of Appeals Cases Does Eddington & Worley Handle?

Our attorneys who handle federal appeals handle all kinds of Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals criminal cases. These include but aren’t limited to the following:

• Gang activity, loan sharking, extortion, and kidnapping;
• While-collar crimes like corruption, money laundering, insider trading, identity theft, bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud;
• Drug crimes like conspiracy, trafficking, manufacturing, distribution, and possession;
• Violent crimes ranging from assault and armed robbery to manslaughter and murder;
• Health care crimes such as fraud or knowingly making fraudulent or false Medicare/Medicaid claims;
• Firearm crimes like unlawful sales, importing/selling ammunition and guns across state lines, and weapon possession

Contact a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Attorney At Eddington & Worley Today

The federal appeals law firm of Eddington & Worley work hard to make sure that each client gets fair treatment on behalf of the prosecution, justices, and judges of the court system. The courts and broader government don’t protect you right, which means it’s up to you and your lawyer to exercise and enjoy any protections that federal statutes and the Constitution guarantee you. Let our team of federal appeals attorneys help you protect your rights so that you make sure your trial is fair so the justice system isn’t able to trample over you or anybody else.

How do you start the process of getting the justice that you deserve? Call us at (281)595-1519 so our veteran criminal appeals lawyers can help you. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals isn’t going to protect your rights, but we can. Our team of appeals attorneys are highly trained and have expertise in the law, specifically in terms of the federal appeals process so they can guarantee your justice.