Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Petitions

The Illinois criminal justice system is, unfortunately, far from perfect. Lawyers and judges can make mistakes that lead to an unfair trial or unjust result. Fortunately, Illinois does provide a way to try to correct those mistakes if you are wrongly convicted or have not had a fair trial. Most people are familiar with the idea of an appeal, but Illinois also provides for post-conviction petitions. A successful appeal or petition can mean the difference between freedom and years in prison.

The attorneys of Beuke & Beuke have successfully represented many clients on both post-conviction petitions and appeals, which have some things in common, but also have important differences:

• Appeals
  • are automatically available; everyone has the right to appeal
  • take place in Illinois' appellate courts
  • must be based on an error that can be shown in the trial court record

• Post-Conviction Petitions
  • not automatically available; you must be "imprisoned" and file your petition within a certain time limit, usually six months
  • are civil, not criminal, in nature
  • are usually based on constitutional errors which may not be apparent from the trial court record

Just because the court has made a determination at trial does not mean that it's correct. If there was a legal error, on or off the record, you're entitled to have it reviewed. Your freedom could hang in the balance.

At Beuke & Beuke we know that a guilty verdict need not be the end of the road for someone charged with a crime. If you've been convicted, you need the help of experienced attorneys who know how to handle criminal appeals and post-conviction petitions. Rick and Peter work as a team, identifying errors in your trial and working tirelessly to make sure those errors are resolved and your rights protected. Your time to seek review may be limited, so don't delay in getting help. Contact Beuke & Beuke immediately so that we can get to work protecting your rights and your future.