The Spodek Law Group is a top rated federal appeals law firm. If you need help appealing a federal case, we can help. If you’re wrongfully convicted, or you’re facing an excessive sentence, a federal appeals attorney at the Spodek Law Group can help you. An experienced federal appeals attorney can help you reverse a wrongful conviction, or reduce a sentence in a federal case. The federal appeals attorneys at our firm are admitted to practice in many federal circuit courts, and can help you understand your chances of successfully appealing your case.

A direct appeal of a federal conviction begins with filing a notice of appeal by a federal appeals attorney within 2 weeks of sentencing. The defendant, called the “appellant,” has to file a brief with the clerk of the US Court of Appeals right after. This document explains to the court the history of the case, and the relevant facts of the case, and the legal/factual findings of the court, and most importantly – the legal arguments behind why the sentence should be reversed.

The government will then respond by filing an opposing brief. Briefs will be sent to a panel 3 federal judges to be reviewed. Lawyers for each side may be called for an oral argument before the panel, but more often, the appeal is decided on the substance within the brief. If either party is unhappy with the panel’s ruling, it can file a reconsideration, or rehearing, by the Court of Appeals. This Court consists of over a dozen judges.