You may think that once you have been convicted and your sentence is served, you can go back to your life like nothing happened. This is not the case. After serving a jail sentence, you may be responsible for fulfilling certain requirements as a condition of your release. If you make a mistake during this period, you might have to go back to prison. However, this is not a foregone conclusion. A good criminal defense lawyer in Oklahoma City can help you throughout the post-conviction process and ensure that it goes as favorably as possible for you. Contact our Oklahoma city post-conviction attorneys for a free consultation today.
Why Choose Us?
After your conviction, you need an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate the criminal justice system and put together the best representation strategy for you. Josh Lee & Associates has over 20 years of experience representing clients in criminal matters in every county in Oklahoma. You will get direct access to your attorney who will take the time to understand you and your situation and put together a plan that puts your best interest forward. Your initial consultation and thorough case analysis are always free, so contact us today to get started.
Post-Conviction Legal Options
Just because you have been convicted of a crime does not mean that all hope is lost. You have legal options to appeal your conviction at both the state and Federal level. There are times when convictions occur improperly due to errors that occurred during the trial. Perhaps improper evidence was allowed into the trial or the law was applied incorrectly to your situation.
The experienced and knowledgeable team at Josh Lee & Associates can handle your appeal from start to finish. We will go through the trial court record with a fine-tooth comb and identify potential issues that may be raised on appeal. Our team will work diligently to make sure that your legal rights are protected.
Remember that there are strict time limits associated with filing an appeal after your conviction, and missing the deadline could completely prevent you from appealing your case. This is why it is so important to get an experienced post-conviction attorney on your side as soon as possible, so contact us today to get started.
Oklahoma Post-Conviction Procedure Act
Even if you lose your direct appeal, there is still hope. The Oklahoma Post-Conviction Procedure Act gives criminal defendants the right to challenge a conviction or sentence if certain criteria are met (2023 Oklahoma Statutes §22-1080). To qualify under this rule, the defendant must claim one of the following:
- That the conviction or sentence violates the U.S. Constitution or the Constitution or laws of Oklahoma
- That the court did not have the proper jurisdiction to impose the sentence
- That the sentence exceeds the maximum allowed by law
- That new material evidence exists that has not been previously seen or heard, and that evidence requires a vacation of the conviction or sentence in the interest of justice
- That the sentence has expired, the suspended sentence, probation, parole, or conditional release unlawfully revoked, or that the defendant is otherwise unlawfully held in custody or other restraint
- That the conviction or sentence is otherwise subject to collateral attack upon any ground of alleged error available under any common law, statutory or other writ, motion, petition, proceeding, or remedy
It should be noted that you are not allowed to raise issues under this Act that were already brought up in your direct appeal. Your attorney can help walk you through this process and understand your legal options.
The Help You Deserve
At Josh Lee & Associates, our founding attorney has been helping people in the criminal justice system for his entire career. We understand what you are facing, and we want to help you move on with your life as easily as possible. It is easy to think that you do not need a lawyer after you have been convicted. However, there are several ways that we can help you, including:
- Helping you navigate the system, so that you do not accidentally do something wrong and face the consequences
- Helping you communicate with your parole officer including what to say and what not to say. In some cases, your lawyer may even be able to go with you to your meetings.
- Helping you obtain a sentence modification, pardon, or expungement. There are several ways you can change your sentence even after conviction.
Violation of probation or parole is another crime. You should have a post-conviction attorney to guide you and help you avoid it if possible. Remember, you always have a right to an attorney, even when you have not been charged with anything.
Get Professional Help from an Oklahoma City Post Conviction Lawyer
The time immediately after a conviction is crucial to protecting your legal rights. You need a defense attorney with a thorough understanding of the appeals process to help fight an improper conviction or sentencing. Additionally, your punishment is not over when you have finished serving your sentence. You need to get through probation and parole as well, and a seasoned criminal defense lawyer can help you do that. If you or a loved one is going through probation or parole, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-759-5529 to schedule an initial meeting and see how we can help you.
