Los Angeles Federal Appeals Attorney

Do you need help appealing a federal criminal case in Los Angeles, California? Contact Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation today at (747) 373-0477. Our Los Angeles federal appeals lawyers know how the process works as well as anyone and are here to fight for you, no matter what it takes. 

Our award-winning federal criminal defense law firm has spent more than 25 years defending clients against serious federal charges in the Central District of California and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Contact our law offices today to learn more about what we can do for you and what your legal rights are moving forward. 

Why Hire Perlman Defense for a Federal Criminal Appeal in Los Angeles, California?

Federal appeals operate under a completely different set of rules than trial-level proceedings. Hiring a Los Angeles federal criminal defense attorney who regularly practices at the appellate level is essential to giving your case a real chance. Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers focuses exclusively on federal criminal matters, including appeals before the Ninth Circuit. 

Here is why clients in Los Angeles, CA, trust us at this critical stage:

• Over two full decades of dedicated federal criminal defense experience
• A deep understanding of Ninth Circuit rules and procedures
• Proven ability to identify appellate issues that trial counsel may have overlooked
• Experience briefing and arguing complex legal questions before federal appellate panels
• Familiarity with the Central District of California and the judges who handle cases there
• Recognition from The National Trial Lawyers, Avvo, and other professional organizations for our work
• A track record of holding the government responsible for errors that affected the outcome at trial

Call our Los Angeles federal criminal defense attorneys as soon as you can for help. Early consultation is important in appeal cases because the filing deadline generally starts running when the judgment or order being appealed is entered.

What Is a Federal Criminal Appeal?

A federal criminal appeal is a legal challenge to a conviction or sentence entered in federal district court. For cases from the Central District of California, appeals go to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

An appeal is not a second trial. You generally cannot present new evidence, call new witnesses, or retry the facts. Instead, a three-judge panel reviews the district court record to determine whether legal errors affected the outcome.

The process is largely based on written briefs presenting each side’s legal arguments. The Ninth Circuit may also schedule oral argument before the panel issues a written decision resolving the appeal.

Common Grounds for a Federal Criminal Appeal

Not every disagreement with a verdict or sentence qualifies as a viable ground for appeal. The Ninth Circuit is looking for specific legal errors that likely changed the result. Some of the most common grounds raised in federal criminal appeals include:

• Evidence was admitted at trial in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights
• The trial court gave incorrect or misleading jury instructions
• The prosecution engaged in misconduct during trial or closing arguments
• The evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the guilty verdict
• The court applied the Federal Sentencing Guidelines incorrectly at sentencing
• The defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel at the trial level
• The court denied a motion to suppress evidence that should have been excluded

Not every error will lead to a reversal, either. The Ninth Circuit applies different standards of review depending on the type of issue being raised, and some errors must be shown to have been "harmless" before the court will intervene. Our federal defense attorneys know how to frame each issue in a way that gives your case the best possible foundation.

What Is the Deadline To File a Federal Criminal Appeal?

In federal criminal cases, the notice of appeal generally must be filed within 14 days of the entry of the judgment or order being appealed. This is one of the shortest filing deadlines in the entire federal court system; missing it almost always means losing the right to appeal entirely.

The 14-day window under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(b) is a mandatory claim-processing rule. Missing the deadline can result in the dismissal of your appeal, regardless of how compelling your arguments may be. The clock starts running the moment the judge enters the final judgment, not the day you decide you want to appeal.

With this deadline in mind, reaching out to an appellate attorney immediately after sentencing is critical. Filing the notice of appeal is a short procedural step that preserves your rights while your attorney evaluates the full record for viable issues. 

What Happens if My Los Angeles Federal Criminal Appeal Is Successful?

The outcome of a successful appeal depends on the type of error the Ninth Circuit identifies and how it affected your case. There are several possible results:

• Conviction reversed, charges dismissed: This is the most complete outcome and occurs when the court finds there was not enough evidence to support the guilty verdict. 
• Conviction reversed, case remanded for a new trial: This happens when the error was procedural, such as an improper jury instruction or the admission of tainted evidence. 
• Sentence vacated, case remanded for resentencing: If the error occurred at sentencing rather than trial, the Ninth Circuit can send the case back for the district court to impose a new sentence under the correct legal framework.

A successful appeal does not always mean you walk free, but it can fundamentally change the trajectory of your case. A resentencing can still result in a dramatically shorter prison term when the original sentence was based on a flawed application of the guidelines.

Can I Appeal After Pleading Guilty?

Entering a guilty plea limits your appeal options, but it does not eliminate them entirely. Defendants who plead guilty can still challenge certain issues on appeal, including:

• Whether the plea was entered voluntarily and with a full understanding of the consequences
• Whether the government honored the terms of the plea agreement
• Whether the court had jurisdiction over the case
• Whether the sentence imposed exceeded what the law allows
• Certain constitutional violations that occurred before or during the plea process

Many plea agreements contain appeal waivers, which restrict the defendant's right to challenge the conviction or sentence. However, these waivers are not always enforceable. If the waiver itself was the product of ineffective assistance of counsel, for instance, the Ninth Circuit may still hear the appeal. Our federal appeals lawyers can review your plea agreement and determine whether a viable path forward exists.

Post-Conviction Relief Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255

If the window for a direct appeal has closed, you may still have options through a motion filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. This is a form of post-conviction relief that allows federal prisoners to challenge their conviction or sentence on certain constitutional, jurisdictional, or other legal grounds.

A § 2255 motion is filed in the original district court rather than the Ninth Circuit. Common grounds include ineffective assistance of trial counsel and constitutional violations that were not raised on direct appeal. 

These motions are subject to their own filing deadlines and procedural rules, so hiring an experienced federal defense attorney to handle the motion significantly improves the chances of a meaningful result.

How a Federal Appeals Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Help With Your Case

Appellate work requires a different skill set than trial defense. The focus shifts from presenting evidence and examining witnesses to identifying legal errors buried in a trial record that may span thousands of pages. 

An experienced federal appeals attorney can:

• Review the full trial record, transcripts, and sentencing proceedings for reversible error
• Research and draft persuasive appellate briefs tailored to Ninth Circuit case law
• Present oral argument before the appellate panel if the court grants a hearing
• Advise you on whether a direct appeal, a § 2255 motion, or both is the right strategy
• Handle petitions for rehearing or en banc review if the initial panel rules against you
• Pursue a petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court in appropriate cases

Federal appeals are high-stakes proceedings with little margin for error. Contact Perlman Defense to learn more about how our appeals attorneys can help with your specific situation. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Los Angeles Federal Appeals Lawyers

A conviction in federal court in Los Angeles, CA, carries consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. If errors were made, the appellate process exists to correct them. However, that process only works if the right attorney is handling it on your behalf.

Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers has spent more than 25 years defending clients at every level of the federal court system. Contact our Los Angeles federal appeals attorneys today for a free consultation.