Carbondale, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer

Seeking Justice for Clients in Carbondale, Franklin & the Counties of Salem, Williamson & Jackson

Being convicted of a crime not only imposes criminal penalties that can include jail or prison time, heavy fines, and lengthy, restrictive probations but it leaves you with a permanent criminal record. That record can be considered collateral damage when you later seek to gain employment, housing, or seek other life opportunities where a background check is run. You will then have to explain your criminal case and it may serve to disqualify you or allow you to be passed over in favor of other candidates. 

You may also believe that you were wrongly, unfairly, or maliciously prosecuted which has left you with a criminal record of your arrest, charges, or conviction. 

With the help of our Carbondale, IL criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to find relief from these issues through post-conviction methods. Attorney Darrell Dunham understands the frustration of being unable to move forward in life due to unfair prosecutions and criminal records. Mistakes you made much earlier in your life, whether through immaturity, negative family or social circumstances, or otherwise, should not haunt you forever. At Darrell Dunham, Attorney at Law, you can work with an attorney who believes in redemption. He helps individuals remove the barriers to moving forward as constructive citizens with a positive future.

Learn your options by discussing your case with our Carbondale, Il criminal defense attorney representing individuals in post-conviction relief and unfair prosecutions. Call Darrell Dunham, Attorney at Law at (618) 836-4474 or contact us online.

What Is Post-Conviction Relief?

Post-conviction relief consists of various legal remedies that can be undertaken on your behalf through the lower as well as the appellate courts. Generally, you will have to qualify for such remedies which often have complicated eligibility rules. Attorney Darrell Dunham is familiar with these rules and the remedies and can help assess your case to determine your options.

Post-conviction relief can include but is not limited to:

• Expungement. This remedy gives you the ability to erase your criminal conviction giving you a clean record. Once this occurs, you will never have to disclose that criminal arrest/charges again. However, strict requirements apply. 
• Record Sealing. When expungement is not available, you may be able to petition to have your record sealed. This action makes your record unavailable to most parties, such as employers or landlords. Your record may only be able to law enforcement or government entities. 
• State and federal appeals. Appeals are only possible if mistakes were made by the court in convictions and/or sentencing. In an appeal, you are asking the appellate court to review the court records of the trial court. If the appellate court agrees that legal errors occurred, it may lead to the conviction being overturned or your case being sent back to the lower court. 
• New trial request. This generally must be done within 30 days of a guilty verdict.
• Legal motions. Motions can be submitted to correct sentencing mistakes or be given credit for any time served.
• Habeas corpus. This allows you to be brought before the court to be released based on wrongful convictions obtained through such violations as ineffective assistance of counsel, coerced confessions, or guilty pleas made involuntarily. 

Other options may be available to you depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. The best action you can take is to consult with Attorney Darrell Dunham about the specifics of your situation to get his professional assessment of what can be done. He can explain your legal rights as well and advise you on how to move forward. 

Unfair or Malicious Prosecution

If you believe you were the victim of unfair or malicious prosecution, you may be eligible to file a claim that could result in monetary damages. Attorney Dunham can review your case to determine the action to take in remedying the matter.

Contact Darrell Dunham, Attorney at Law for a free case evaluation concerning post-conviction relief or unfair prosecution at (618) 836-4474 today.