Philadelphia Post-Conviction Appeals Attorneys 

When Can I Seek an Appeal or Post-Conviction Relief? 

Pennsylvania’s Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) provides the constitutional and statutory grounds to challenge a conviction. 

These grounds allow a convicted person to seek post-conviction relief when: 

• The judge didn’t consider important information
• The convicted person’s prior attorney rendered ineffective assistance at trial, sentencing, or appeal
• The judge didn’t deliver clear instructions to the jury
• New evidence was discovered 
• Exculpatory evidence was inappropriately suppressed 
• The prosecution’s witnesses lied under oath
• No subject matter jurisdiction existed in the court where the conviction occurred
• The government obstructed the convicted person’s right to appeal 
• The sentence was excessive or inappropriate 

These are just a few of the circumstances that can generate a legal or procedural error that can trigger an appeal. Pursuing an appeal based on any of these grounds, however, is a complex matter. That’s why it’s important to secure legal counsel from experienced appeals lawyers in Philadelphia like ours at Weisberg Law.

Was Your Prior Attorney Ineffective? 

The most commonly utilized basis for an appeal is ineffective legal counsel, but it’s also often misunderstood. Being convicted or not liking your prior attorney doesn’t necessarily mean their representation was ineffective. 

Generally speaking, ineffective counsel can occur when an attorney is incompetent or negligent in rendering legal assistance. If you believe your prior attorney’s incompetence or negligence caused a legal or procedural error – or allowed one of these to occur unchallenged – you may have a strong basis to file an appeal.

Weisberg Law’s post-conviction appeals lawyers in Philadelphia have the knowledge and skill necessary to craft a legal argument that can successfully

How Long Do I Have to Appeal My Conviction? 

The PCRA provides that defendants convicted of a crime have one year from the date of final judgment to file an appeal. That said, there are exceptions that can stretch this deadline. 

These exceptions are as follows: 

• Interference with government officials caused a delay in filing an appeal 
• Certain facts or evidence to base an appeal upon recently became known 
• A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court or Pennsylvania Supreme Court, made after one’s conviction, retroactively applies 

If an exception applies to your situation, you have one year from the date the claim could have been made. 

What Happens If My Appeal Succeeds? 

If your appeal is successful, a new trial may be ordered. This means that you will have another opportunity to defend against your charges and fight for your freedom. 

If you are appealing a sentence for a conviction or a decision made during an ongoing trial, a successful appeal can also require the trial court to apply a new standard in its judgment, which can result in a different outcome.

Contact Us for Legal Assistance

Weisberg Law’s post-conviction appeal lawyers in Philadelphia are here to offer the capable and experienced legal assistance you need for your appeal. 

Being convicted of a crime due to an error that should not have occurred at trial is a mistake, and we strive to help people like you fight for a fair chance at defending against your charges.  

Take advantage of a free consultation with one of our lawyers today. Contact us online now to find out how!