Ineffective Assistance Of Counsel And Post-Conviction Relief

If you or someone you love has been sentenced for a crime unjustly, there may be options to pursue post-conviction relief. Appeals, expungement, discovery of new evidence, requests for DNA testing and questioning the legality of a sentence are all available in certain circumstances. Another common vehicle for post-conviction relief involves the representation provided by your former criminal defense attorney.

If your defense lawyer failed to represent you properly, you may be able to file a motion with the court under Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.850. This rule allows people who have been convicted to vacate their conviction or sentence if they can show that their lawyer failed to assist them effectively.

At Platt Cole Russell & Simpson PLLC in Melbourne, we help people pursue post-conviction relief, including 3.850 motions, and seek justice after being unfairly sentenced for crimes.

Did Your Defense Lawyer Represent You Effectively?

As lawyers, we have a duty to act in our clients’ best interests by any legal and ethical means possible. At Platt Cole Russell & Simpson PLLC, we take that duty very seriously. However, your previous attorney may have failed to do so in a number of ways, including:

• Failure to bring a motion to suppress certain evidence
• Failure to advise you of a plea bargain or to counsel you regarding the implications of a deal
• Failure to investigate witnesses who could have helped your case
• Failure to properly preserve issues for appellate review
• Failure to advise you of your options for appeal

We will review and investigate your case to determine whether your attorney fulfilled his or her duty to you. If not, we can help you explore your options to pursue a reduced sentence or a vacated conviction.