How to Win Post-conviction Relief
If you want to know how to win post conviction relief, talk to Strickland Webster, LLC. We have the resources you need. Book an appointment with us today.
Winning Post-Conviction Relief
Are you planning to file for post-conviction relief (PCR) and are wondering how to win one? Different post-conviction remedies can help you challenge your criminal conviction or mitigate its effects on your life.
However, winning post-conviction relief can be difficult if you aren’t well-prepared. You must be able to prove that the trial court’s decision was unfair and that you have grounds for relief. PCR can only be granted under certain circumstances, such as constitutional violations or newly emerged evidence. You also need to submit the required documents and file the right petitions within the specified time limits.
Experienced appeal attorneys such as Sydney Strickland and Leigh Ann Webster can handle your case on your behalf and guide you through the post-conviction relief process. Strickland Webster LLC has a proven track record in helping clients across Georgia overturn serious convictions, including aggravated assault, fraud, and drug trafficking.
How to Win Post-Conviction Relief in Georgia?
Though notoriously hard to win, post-conviction relief motions can be granted if you have an adequate attorney, present solid grounds for relief, and act fast. You may be eligible for PCR whether your conviction results from a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or a trial, as long as a reversible error was made during the legal process.
Choose the Right Attorney
Choosing who will represent you during the PCR motion hearings may be more important than choosing your trial defense counsel. That’s because if your PCR legal counsel fails to properly handle your case or defend it, you can’t claim ineffective assistance of counsel and appeal the PCR judge’s decision.
Your PCR attorney should read through the transcript of your trial and identify all legal errors made by your defense team, the trial judge, or the prosecution. They should also be familiar with state laws to know when and how to file the required motions and petitions.
A local Georgia appeal attorney at Strickland Webster LLC can help you.
Determine the Grounds for PCR
To win a post-conviction relief motion, you must be able to prove that serious issues occurred during your trial or direct appeal. Your legal counsel should read through your case files and legal rulings and identify possible grounds for your PCR motions, such as:
1. Newly discovered evidence
According to O.C.G.A. § 5-5-41, convicted defendants can file an Extraordinary Motion for New Trial if new evidence emerges that can change the outcome of their trial. This motion doesn’t have a time limitation and can be filed anytime after the discovery is made.
2. Ineffective counsel
One of the most common grounds for PCR is ineffective assistance of counsel during the trial court. Your motion must make it clear that the incompetent performance of the trial lawyer negatively affected your case. Examples of incompetent legal counsel include the failure to cross-examine witnesses or object to the admission of evidence.
3. Excessive sentencing
When the sentence imposed by the trial court judge exceeds the maximum possible authorized by the state or federal law, you can file a Motion to Modify Sentence with the trial court to correct and reduce your sentence. According to O.C.G.A. § 17-10-1(f), this motion must be filed within one year from the ruling of the trial court or 120 days from the appellate court’s.
4. Prosecutorial misconduct
Prosecutorial misconduct can include anything from withholding evidence from the defense to presenting inadmissible evidence. These illegal acts are usually violations of your constitutional right to due process and are grounds for appeal and PCR.
5. Constitutional violations
Constitutional violations that can be grounds for post-conviction relief include:
- Constitutional rights violations, including the right to a fair trial
- The statute under which you are prosecuted is against the U.S. or state constitution
- The conduct you are prosecuted for is protected under the U.S. or state constitution
You need to have a strong case for a successful motion for PCR. The PCR judge is usually the same judge that presided over your trial court hearing. Therefore, you must prove beyond doubt that their criminal judgment was wrong, and it warrants a new hearing.
File Within the Time Limit
PCR motions are not usually the first choice to overturn a conviction in a criminal case. They are usually sought after a direct appeal because they have relatively longer time limitations.
When you decide to file a PCR, you must make sure you are still within the specified time frame for the specific motion you want to file. For example, motions based on new evidence aren’t limited by time, whereas motions to correct sentencing must be filed within a year. A writ of habeas corpus petition, a motion to challenge unlawful incarceration, has the longest time limit of four years for criminal cases, according to O.C.G.A. § 9-14-42. This time-limit countdown starts either after the ruling of the original trial court or the appellate court.
You must also ensure that you file your PCR motion and required documents within the specified time. Your attorney should inform you of these deadlines and your eligibility for a PCR.
What Documents Do You Need for Your Post-Conviction?
Besides the PCR motion, you may need to present other documents to prove that an error actually occurred. These are some of the documents that you and your attorney may need to submit:
- The charging information document and other related documents. These documents contain the crimes you were charged and convicted for.
- Discovery, including witness statements and police reports
- Your pre-trial motions and orders
- Your trial record, including the transcripts and all exhibits used as evidence
- All documents related to your appeals
Depending on your motion, you may need to provide other documents. These documents are usually enough for the PCR judge to make a decision on your case. However, an evidentiary hearing may be requested by the judge in some cases.
What Happens When You Win Post Conviction
When you win your post-conviction relief motion, you may be granted a new trial or an acquittal, depending on your grounds for relief. In cases where excessive sentences are made, the sentence will be corrected and reduced according to the law.
If your PCR motion is denied, do not feel discouraged. Speak with an experienced post-conviction relief attorney to know if there is anything more that can be done in your case.
Why You Need a Post-Conviction Relief Attorney
It can be hard to win post-conviction relief if you don’t know what constitutes a reversible legal error or the complex laws and deadlines surrounding it. A professional defense attorney is indispensable in a PCR case, as it may be your last chance to get justice. An adequate lawyer can give you the legal advice and help you need to win your relief and, possibly, freedom.
At Strickland Webster, LLC, our attorneys understand the different legal angles of a PCR motion in Georgia. We will work hard to get you the outcomes you anticipate.
If you are an attorney who’s currently representing a client in PCR motion, we can help you get favorable results. We offer different services for attorneys who need help or resources to investigate and win their cases. Schedule a free consultation today!
