Trust Glozman Law with Appellate and Post-Conviction Representation
A conviction does not always signal the end of a legal journey. For those convicted of a crime, whether federal or state, the right to appeal the conviction and subsequent sentence remains. In any given case, there is the possibility of errors — errors that could result in the reversal of a conviction, the prompting of a new trial, or a reduction of the sentence term.
Glozman Law has expertly represented cases in both federal courts of appeals and state appellate courts and works to ensure that no unjust conviction or sentence stands unchallenged.
Filing an appeal is not the same as requesting a new trial. The appellate court does not hear witnesses, consider new evidence, or relitigate the facts of the case. Its role is to review what happened in the lower court and determine whether legal errors occurred that materially affected the outcome. This distinction matters enormously in how an appeal must be prepared and argued.
A successful appeal begins with a thorough review of the entire trial record — every motion, ruling, transcript, and exhibit. The objective is to identify errors that were properly preserved for appeal, assess their impact on the verdict or sentence, and construct a legal argument compelling enough to persuade a panel of judges. This requires a different skill set than trial work. Appellate advocacy is written advocacy, and the brief is everything.
Glozman Law approaches appeals with the same rigor applied to trial preparation. We review the record independently, research applicable precedent, and build arguments that are legally sound and strategically focused. We do not simply rehash arguments that failed at the trial level — we identify what went wrong, why it matters under the law, and how to present it most effectively to an appellate court.
The appellate process differs significantly between federal and state courts, and navigating both requires familiarity with their distinct procedures, timelines, and standards of review. Federal appeals are heard by the United States Courts of Appeals, organized by circuit — Illinois falls within the Seventh Circuit. State appeals in Illinois proceed through the Illinois Appellate Court, with further review available to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Deadlines in appellate practice are strict and largely unforgiving. A notice of appeal in a federal criminal case must typically be filed within 14 days of judgment. Missing that window can forfeit the right to appeal entirely. Retaining appellate counsel immediately after a conviction or adverse ruling is not a formality — it is a necessity.
To successfully appeal a conviction or sentence, delving into the entire history of the case — including all of the evidence, trial transcripts, and court rulings — is necessary to determine the grounds for appeal. It is important to remember that an appeal is limited to reviewing the case to ensure the law was properly applied, not to retry a case or hear new evidence.
If the appellate court upholds a conviction and sentence — and no constitutional issue exists to appeal to the Supreme Court — several other post-conviction options remain, including collateral appeals.
One of the most common collateral appeals is the Habeas Corpus Petition. The law stipulates that no one may be held in custody by federal or state governments for a conviction obtained without due process. Via Habeas Corpus, a lawyer has the opportunity to argue that one or more aspects of a conviction and/or imprisonment have violated a constitutional right.
When a direct appeal has been exhausted or is no longer available, other avenues for relief may still exist. Federal prisoners may file a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to challenge a conviction or sentence on constitutional grounds — including ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, or newly discovered evidence. Illinois state prisoners may pursue post-conviction petitions under 725 ILCS 5/122-1, raising similar constitutional claims.
These collateral remedies carry their own procedural requirements, deadlines, and limitations on successive filings. They are not a second chance to relitigate the facts of the case. But when the legal basis exists, they are powerful tools for correcting injustice — and Glozman Law pursues them with the same discipline and thoroughness we bring to every stage of representation.
Appellate and Post-Conviction Representation Case Result
People v. MF
MF, while being represented by another attorney, was found guilty after a bench trial of aggravated identify theft. Mr. Glozman took on the appeal and obtained a full reversal of the aggravated identity theft charges.- Joseph Conboy
- Areas of Expertise
- Why Choose Glozman Law
We are well-versed in the intricacies of federal and state criminal law, utilizing our ability to uncover and expose convictions and sentences based on errors made in lower courts. These errors include:
- Incorrect evidentiary rulings, such as erroneously admitted evidence, inadmissible confessions, and failure to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence
- Insufficiency of evidence
- Improper jury instructions
- Constitutional issues and depravations
- Excessive sentences and errors in applying sentencing enhancements
To successfully appeal a conviction or sentence, delving into the entire history of the case — including all of the evidence, trial transcripts, and court rulings — is necessary to determine the grounds for appeal. It’s important to remember that an appeal is limited to reviewing the case to ensure the law was properly applied, not to retry a case or hear new evidence.
If the appellate court upholds a conviction and sentence — and no constitutional issue exists to appeal to the Supreme Court — several other post-conviction options remain, including collateral appeals.
One of the most common collateral appeals is the Habeas Corpus Petition. The law stipulates that no one may be held in custody by federal or state governments for a conviction obtained without due process. Via Habeas Corpus, a lawyer has the opportunity to argue that one or more aspects of a conviction and/or imprisonment have violated a constitutional right.
At Glozman Law, we have experience representing individuals in both the federal courts of appeals and state appellate courts. We are dedicated to assisting our clients regain their freedom and reputation — representing individuals convicted of both white collar and non-white collar offenses.
For any appeal, it is important to hire an attorney competent enough to thoroughly review every aspect of your case and extensively research complex legal questions and novel issues to ensure an effective appeal is filed on your behalf. We ensure that your appeal is given the attention it deserves with a comprehensive and innovative approach that produces positive results.