Rockville Criminal Defense Law Office

A criminal conviction does not always end the legal process. A direct appeal and post-conviction relief can both challenge a conviction, but they serve different purposes. Knowing the difference can help a person or family decide what options may still be available....

Yes. A Washington, D.C., appellate court can find a trial error harmless and uphold a criminal conviction. But not every mistake is harmless. The key question is whether the error affected the outcome. That determination can mean the difference between upholding the...

Trace DNA, sometimes called touch DNA, refers to tiny amounts of genetic material left behind through skin cells or brief contact with a person, object or surface. In post-conviction cases, that kind of evidence may deserve a second look when prosecutors treat it as...

A guilty verdict feels overwhelming, but a trial court decision is not always the final word. Appeals do not start a trial over or call new witnesses to testify. Instead, higher courts review official trial transcripts to determine if the judge or prosecutor made...