Federal Appellate Attorney
Direct appeals are an important way of challenging wrongful convictions or unfair sentences in federal court. A direct appeal is the standard process of appealing a conviction or a sentence for a crime, and is usually available to all defendants. Even if you’ve previously agreed not to appeal in a plea deal, there might still be options available to you.
The best way to appeal your verdict or sentence is to hire an experienced Federal appellate lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us today to discuss how we can help your case.
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Testimonials from Our Clients
Maybel G.
Jess is known for his meticulous and strategic work style. At his firm, there is a culture of excellence and client focused dedication that is unmatched. He is very thorough during the entire legal process and always finds a way to solve client problems.
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Lyle Cartwright
Jess Johnson is the perfect attorney to overcome serious legal charges! He is very approachable & will use his expertise to give you the best criminal legal defense possible and I know this from personal experience. When you’re going through the scariest period in your life, you need the best lawyer on your side. I give him my highest recommendation!
The Process
If you do not agree with the decision of the court or jury trying your case, you have the legal right to appeal your case to a higher court for review. For cases tried in federal court, this will be the Circuit Court of Appeals for your region. Timing is crucial – your attorney must file a notice of appeal within 10 days of the judgment or order being appealed, and the written brief must be submitted soon after. At Johnson/Citronberg, we excel at quickly crafting compelling written briefs.
Your attorney might also be summoned to appear for oral arguments. At Johnson/Citronberg, we are prepared to represent you not only in written briefs but also in oral arguments, ensuring your case receives the attention it deserves. As a skilled criminal defense lawyer, we are committed to advocating on your behalf throughout the entire legal process.
It is essential to hire an attorney to submit a compelling written brief to the appeals court detailing the reasons for your appeal, as in many cases, the appeals court will render their decision on the briefs alone. Your attorney will file a brief including a statement of facts and their legal argument supported by case law, statutes, and other legal authorities, as well as respond to the government’s response.
In the case that the appeals court judges agree that there were significant issues in your case, they may refer it back to the trial court, adjust your sentence, or overturn the conviction completely. Most appeals are final, unless the court sends the case back to the trial court or the parties seek review in the U.S. Supreme Court. However, even if an appeal is denied, it might nonetheless be possible to file a § 2255 motion.
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Case Results
Pilot Found Not Guilty in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case
Our client was a pilot and retired military officer. He was accused of knowingly transporting a large quantity of cocaine from southern Texas to Atlanta. If convicted, he likely would have died in prison. We were able to show a jury that our client had no knowledge of the drugs on board his aircraft. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in less than an hour of deliberating.
Federal Judge in Eastern District of Virginia Gives Lowest Possible Sentence to Autistic Client
Our client, a federal employee, was convicted of federal child pornography charges. Based on his autism diagnosis, we convinced a federal judge to give the lowest sentence possible.
Time-Served Sentence in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case in Atlanta
Our client was facing life in prison after being charged in a wide-sweeping drug conspiracy case in the Northern District of Georgia. We were able to show that our client was abused by her husband and forced to ingest drugs, which led her becoming addicted. The judge determined that her culpability was the least of the many who were charged and granted our request for a sentence of ‘time-served’ which means no additional jail time. Our client was able to go home to her children the same day that she was sentenced.
Dismissal of Child Pornography Charges in Richmond, Virginia for Autistic Client
Our client, a working professional, was charged with distribution of child pornography after law enforcement raided his home. We helped our autistic client and convinced the court to defer all charges for dismissal due to his disability.
Issues Raised On Appeal
Direct appeals require demonstrating errors or negligence that affected the fairness of your trial. A direct appeal may raise issues of whether evidence was properly admitted or excluded, whether the jury was properly instructed, whether the sentence was properly calculated, or prosecutor misconduct. We will explore all of these possibilities in order to help you fight for a fair and just outcome.
Because the time frame for filing the appeal after your initial verdict is short, it is important to have an attorney with the skills and experience necessary to act quickly and advocate for you. As a skilled criminal investigation lawyer, we will thoroughly review your case and ensure that every potential avenue for challenging your conviction is explored.
Get Legal Consultation for Appellate Cases at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC
Contact Johnson/Citronberg today to have an experienced federal defense attorney review your case, identify all possible issues to raise on direct appeal, answer questions, and represent you throughout the process.
If you or someone you know is facing a child pornography charge in Virginia, contact us now for immediate help.
Our Virginia criminal defense lawyers fully understand how to defend against child pornography charges. We have won dismissals, obtained reductions, and received sentences of straight probation for individuals charged with child pornography offenses across Virginia.
Meet Our Attorneys
Jess Johnson
Jess B. Johnson is a Partner & Founder at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC with more than 15 years of experience in criminal defense and civil litigation. He represents clients in federal courts across the country and is licensed in Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Jess has handled complex investigations, trials, and appeals for elected officials, business leaders, whistleblowers, and individuals. He has secured dismissals, acquittals, favorable sentences, and major whistleblower awards. A University of Georgia graduate, Jess was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2012.
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Cary Jacob Citronberg
Cary Jacob Citronberg is the Partner and Founder of Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC in Alexandria, Virginia, where he focuses on federal and state criminal defense matters. Licensed in Virginia since 2011, he brings more than 14 years of courtroom experience along with a strong record of advocacy. Cary received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2010 after earning his B.A. from Northwestern University in 2006. His work has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, with selections as a Rising Star from 2016 through 2021 and to the Super Lawyers list from 2022 through 2025.
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