If You Didn’t Put Up A Defense, There’s Still Hope
Many people facing criminal convictions either don’t have the energy to fight, don’t have the means to fight, or feel so overwhelmed and intimidated that they just give in and give up. Somehow, giving in to a conviction seems easier than the uphill battle it appears that you’ll need to climb to fight the system that can often feel so stacked against you. It is a crushing and oftent devastating process that has destroyed the lives of those accused and their families.
Courts Are Held To A Higher Standard
When you find yourself in the process of a criminal conviction, you may initially go into the process confident that the legal system will work and that you will be exhonerated or that any exenuating circumstances will be considered and that your best interests will be at the forefront of the justice system, after all, it was designed to be fair right? That’s not always the case.
In Recent California Appellate News
Most recently there was a case involving the justice system in Marin County where the county was called out for their handling of a criminal case involving a mentally ill defendant who threatened to kill his neighbors. The accused plead guilty without having had a defense on his behalf. In this case, the 1st District Court Of Appeals in San Francisco said that the defendant was not given due consideration for his mental health and was rushed into his conviction. The court of appeals stated that the defendant should have been given the opportunity to take part in a diversion program where he may be able to get some form of rehabilitation while avoiding a criminal conviction.
Published Opinion
In the case of mental illness which was at the forefront of the recent case mentioned above, the panel addressed defendants with mental illness and the difficulties that they often face. That opinion can now be cited in future cases. While this individual case may not be representative of your own personal case in its entirety, it gives fruit to the idea that if you did in fact have ineffective counsel or were rushed to a criminal conviction, you may also have the option of filing for an appeal.
The best way to learn what your rights and options are is to seek the advice and assistance of an experienced Criminal Conviction Appeals Attorney If you need help, contact our office today to discuss how we may be able to help you.