Post-Sentencing Representation

Health General § 8-507

Maryland Health General Article §§ 8-505 and 8-507 provide an avenue of relief for clients seeking release from incarceration and placement in a drug and alcohol treatment program. Clients seeking such relief must be parole eligible, and must be amenable to treatment.

The first step of this process involves the Court granting a request for an evaluation under Maryland Health General Article §§ 8-505. Following such an evaluation, provided the client is amenable to treatment, the final step is convincing the sentencing judge that placement in a drug and alcohol treatment program is the appropriate thing to do in any particular case. Our attorneys are dedicated to pursuing every avenue of relief for our clients. We have successfully obtained relief for numerous clients under Maryland Health General Article §§ 8-505 and 8-507. Our attorneys understand the importance of this important opportunity for relief for incarcerated individuals, and we have had incredible success obtain such relief for clients through the State of Maryland.

Petition for Habeas Corpus

If you or your loved one has been convicted of a federal or state crime, the attorneys at Brennan, McKenna & Lawlor are here to obtain relief through Petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus and post-conviction relief under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2255. Our attorneys are experienced in this unique practice area and are prepared to fight to overturn federal and state sentences and convictions in the United States District Courts for the District of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

There is a one-year time limit to file a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 18 U.S.C. § 2254 (for state prisoners) or a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (for federal prisoners). While this time limit is strict, it is not an absolute bar. In order to protect your rights to file a petition for habeas corpus consult one of our attorneys right away.

Section 2255 Motions – Federal Court Convictions

Motions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 provide a means to vacate a conviction and sentence for those individuals who were convicted in federal courts. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients seeking a new trial and/or a re-sentencing based on a variety of constitutional issues. Among those potential issues, our attorneys have vast experience and knowledge in claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under the Supreme Court case Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S, 668 (1984).

If you or a loved one has been convicted of a federal offense in the United States District Courts for the District of Maryland and the District of Columbia, contact our attorneys as soon as possible to discuss representation on a motion to vacate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.

Section 2254 Motions – State court convictions

If you or a loved one is in state custody having been convicted of a crime, you may be eligible for relief through a petition for habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Our attorneys are experience in seeking relief for clients in state custody who have a conviction or sentence that is in “violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.”

Petitions for Post-Conviction Relief; Motions to Reopen; & Petitions for Writ of Actual Innocence

The attorneys at Brennan, McKenna & Lawlor have experience litigation and obtaining relief for clients seeking post-conviction relief in Maryland State courts. Seeking post-conviction relief can be obtained through a petition for post-conviction relief, a motion to reopen post-conviction proceedings, or a petition for writ of actual innocence.

Our attorneys have undone at least 17 life sentences for clients through various means of post-conviction relief. Our attorneys use our experience in post-conviction litigation, as well as trial law, investigation, and legal research and writing to obtain relief for our clients. Our attorneys are experienced in obtaining relief for clients based on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, (1984); challenges to guilty pleas; prosecutorial misconduct, and faulty jury instructions.

If you or a loved one is in need of an experienced post-conviction attorney in Maryland, please call our law office to meet with one of our attorneys today.

Petitions for Writ of Error Coram Nobis

Our attorneys have obtained relief for numerous clients by litigating petitions for writ of error coram nobis. Clients who have completed their sentence, but are now facing significant collateral consequences as a result of their conviction, may be eligible for relief by way of a petition for writ of error coram nobis. Most often, clients face “significant collateral consequences” in the form of an enhanced federal sentence, or immigration consequences. In federal court, a prior conviction can lead to designation as an Armed Career Criminal, or a Career Offender. Prior convictions also serve to increase a federal defendant sentencing guidelines. Such scenarios create a “significant collateral consequence” for clients, which may make them eligible for relief. Whatever the consequences facing you are, contact our attorneys to find out whether a prior conviction can be challenged through a petition for writ of error coram nobis.

DC Code §23-110

Our attorneys are experienced in litigating post-conviction challenges in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Whether under a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, or other constitutional challenge, we aggressively fight for clients seeking post post-conviction relief in the District of Columbia. Call our law office today to speak with an attorney concerning representation on a motion under D.C. Code § 23-110.

If you or a loved one is in need of post-sentencing representation, call (240) 219-8980 or contact us online.