Challenge convictions and pursue relief under Tennessee law
If your appeal fell short or you were unable to challenge the conviction within the allotted time frame, post-conviction relief in Tennessee through habeas corpus could be the last opportunity presented to you to defend your rights and set the record straight.
For most clients, post-conviction relief is truly the last chance for pursuing a life of normalcy. This means it’s important to fight with everything you’ve got and work with a trusted, respected team.
At Brownstone Law, our criminal appeals attorneys in Tennessee have the skill, expertise, and experience necessary to navigate through these complex cases.
We offer post‑conviction services in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville.
The writs of habeas corpus can be pursued in both the Tennessee state and federal courts. Grounds that can lead to the writ of application include, but are not limited to:
So what happens if the Tennessee habeas corpus petition is successful? You could potentially regain your freedom, reputation, and rights. Furthermore, there are many intangible benefits that could forever change your life for the better. This is why it’s critical to work with a team as respected and successful as Brownstone.
Our habeas corpus lawyers handle writs in:
| Shelby County | Sumner County |
| Davidson County | Sullivan County |
| Knox County | Wilson County |
| Hamilton County | Blount County |
| Rutherford County | Washington County |
| Williamson County | Bradley County |
| Montgomery County | |
If you’re fighting to have an unlawful conviction overturned, don’t allow the timeline for the writs of habeas corpus to expire.
At Brownstone, we work as quickly, diligently, and accurately as possible to protect and defend your reputation and your rights.
Our Tennessee post-conviction relief attorneys will explain the post-conviction process and rules of appellate procedure. Federal habeas corpus is used when the state or government violates the constitutional rights of a defendant. Most habeas petitions must be filed within 1 year and 90 days from the judgment and sentence.
Federal habeas corpus attorneys at our firm are led by Robert Sirianni, a former prosecutor who understands the process for handling tough cases.
Our Tennessee appellate law firm is rooted in deep tradition and highly regarded federal practice. We create a strategy for each case, learn the issues on appeal, and listen to our clients to ensure the best possible federal appeal in the nation.
Our expertise in handling appeals is of high quality. Most federal appeals are a flat fee, and we steer clear of extravagant expenditure on our clients’ representation. We have the skills and experience to tackle the most complex federal appeals successfully in Tennessee.
See more about Mississippi appeal lawyers.
Contact Brownstone’s Tennessee post-conviction relief lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Be sure to read about the post-conviction relief and habeas corpus attorneys in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. We are best known for winning countless appeals cases. Our highly experienced and knowledgeable appellate attorneys can help you with your appeal. Most post convictions proceed under Rule 45 or Rule 28 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure.
We will provide you with a free consultation and go over every aspect of your criminal or civil case.
Brownstone Law will uncover these errors and bring them before the court. If the federal judge rules that the errors occurred, your ruling will be overturned. No matter what form of law you are dealing with – family law, civil appeals, environmental law, Tennessee post-conviction motions, habeas corpus, criminal law, business, land law, medical, and the list continues- you may file an appeal.
Brownstone Law can help you with your case. Attorneys with experience in all areas of the law are at your disposal at Brownstone Law. Remember, this is not a retrial, and no new evidence will be introduced in the appeal; all pertinent information from your case will be presented, along with the procedures. Call today, the consultation is free. Come see what Brownstone Law can do for you. The rule for filing a federal habeas writ is under 2254.
Our Tennessee criminal appeal lawyers spend several hours daily researching to ensure they present a strong case. Proof of the results that we deliver can be seen from the fact that we have won many civil and criminal appeal cases in the past year alone.
Numerous law firms seeking our legal opinion on matters relating to the appellate courts are also a clear indication of our reputation in Tennessee. Contact our Tennessee Federal appeal lawyers today.
In any pre-trial or trial case, court procedures can be misapplied. An unfavorable ruling is not what you want. You have the right to have the case procedures reviewed before the Appeals Court judge. Whether the case is civil, business, family, drug-related, medicinal, white collar, or any other type of case, there are times when serious mistakes are made in how the law is applied to your case.
Under United States law, defendants may file a motion to vacate the conviction on several grounds. These include an unconstitutional verdict, ineffective trial counsel, newly discovered evidence, incorrect jury instructions, or the misapplication of the rules of civil or criminal procedure. Defendants can also file criminal appeals in Tennessee if the trial judge committed an abuse of discretion or made a legal mistake.
Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for the filing of a post-conviction motion. However, some defendants qualify for the exceptions to the rule. “[R]elief under [the Post-Conviction Procedure Act] shall be granted when the conviction or sentence is void or voidable because of the abridgment of any right guaranteed by the Constitution of Tennessee or the Constitution of the United States.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-103 (2003).
Read more about the Tennessee Post-conviction process under Rule 28: Form Tennessee Rule 28 Post Conviction Motion for Relief from Judgment
However, to obtain relief, a person in custody under a sentence of a court of this state must petition for post-conviction relief under this part within one (1) year of the date of the final action of the highest state appellate court to which an appeal is taken, or if no appeal is taken, within one (1) year of the date on which the judgment became final, or consideration of such petition shall be barred. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-102(a) (2003); see also Williams v. State, 44 S.W.3d 464, 468 (Tenn. 2001).
The statute emphasizes that time is of the essence of the right to file a petition for post-conviction relief or a motion to reopen established by this chapter, and that the one-year limitations period is an element of that right and a condition upon its exercise.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-102(a). Generally, “a judgment of conviction entered upon a guilty plea becomes final thirty days after acceptance of the plea agreement and imposition of sentence.” State v. Green, 106 S.W.3d 646, 650 (Tenn. 2003).
In certain limited circumstances, a petitioner may file a motion to reopen a prior petition for post-conviction relief. Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-117(a) (2003) provides that a petitioner may file a motion to reopen the first post-conviction petition if:
In Howell v. State, 151 S.W.3d 450 (Tenn. 2004), the Tennessee Supreme Court held that the application of the stringent “clear and convincing evidence” standard of Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-117(a)(4) would violate a petitioner’s due process rights because “[a]s in Burford [v. State, 845 S.W.2d 204 (Tenn. 1992)], Williams [v. State, 44 S.W. 3d 322 (Tenn. 2011)], and Seals, the petitioner [was] confronted with circumstances beyond his control which prevented him from previously challenging his conviction and sentence on constitutional grounds.” Id. at 462 (emphasis added).
In essence, the fourth exception deals with facts underlying the claim which, if true, would establish by clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner is entitled to have the conviction set aside or the sentence reduced. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-117(a)(4).
A Post Conviction Attorney in Tennessee Can Provide:
Our experienced attorneys will review your case and provide feedback on your appeal options at no cost.
Get experienced post-conviction representation to pursue relief, challenge your conviction, and seek a reduced sentence under Tennessee law.
It is a legal process that allows a convicted person to challenge a conviction or sentence after direct appeals have been exhausted, often based on constitutional violations, ineffective assistance of counsel, or newly discovered evidence.
In Tennessee, a felony conviction remains on your criminal record permanently unless it qualifies for expungement or is overturned through post-conviction relief, appeal, or executive clemency.
Most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and serious Class A and Class B felonies are not eligible for expungement in Tennessee. Eligibility depends on the offense, conviction status, and the individual’s criminal history.
A writ of habeas corpus after conviction is a legal action challenging the legality of a person’s detention, imprisonment, or sentence, typically based on constitutional violations or lack of lawful authority to hold the individual.
The most common form of post-conviction relief is a claim based on ineffective assistance of counsel claim, in which trial or appellate counsel failed to meet constitutional standards, resulting in prejudice to the defendant.
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