Most of my blog posts explain aspects of the appellate and
post-conviction process. However, I
still handle several trial court-level cases each year. First off, I spent a great deal of my early
career defending people in federal court.
Secondly, as an appellate/ post-conviction attorney, if I am going to be
second-guessing the trial work of other attorneys, I need to be "in the
trenches" with them as well, not just for credibility's sake, but also to
stay sharp on how the law is being applied and employed before a case climbs up
to the appellate/ post-conviction arena.
Many of my post-conviction clients learn only after having
hired me to investigate their cases that there were plea bargains offered to
their former trial attorney earlier in their litigation history, which might
have been accepted, and which would have given the clients a much better
resolution to their cases. Had the plea
offers been better communicated, then there is a chance that these cases might
have ended long ago, and with smaller amounts of punishment, not to mention
avoiding the costs of appellate and post-conviction litigation.
The best practice is to ask your attorney (or the attorney
defending your friend or family member) at the very outset of the
representation to promise that all plea offers will be communicated and explained in writing, so you all can
really take the time necessary to think through all options, understand the
potential consequences, and most importantly, compare sentencing exposure both
then at the time of the plea offer, and down the road in the future if the
offer is rejected and a trial is subsequently lost.
If you have a family member or friend fighting the battle
against a wrongful conviction, or if you are a lawyer seeking assistance with
an appeal or post-conviction matter, please call this office immediately. There are always time deadlines limiting when
these claims can be raised. If you wish
to learn more about the process, call now.
Jonathan Laurans wants you to be educated as to what you may
be facing. If you or a loved one has
been convicted of a crime in Missouri, Kansas or Texas, or in any federal
court, contact him immediately. Visit
his website at www.kansascitymoattorney.com and then call him at (816) 421-5200
for a FREE initial legal consultation.
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