Post-Conviction Relief

Trevena, Pontrello and Associates
Post-Conviction Relief Lawyer in Pinellas County Florida


Hearing your guilty verdict can be devastating. Fortunately, you may still have several options even after you have been charged and sentenced with a crime in Pinellas County Florida. If you have been convicted of a crime in a court of law, you may have the option to raise issues with your conviction through post-conviction relief. Trevena, Pontrello, & Associates are post-conviction relief attorneys in Pinellas County Florida who may be able to assist you with this process.

It is important to distinguish post-conviction relief from the appeals process. With the appeals process, your lawyer takes your case to a higher court to review that the procedures of the case were carried out legally. Generally, with the appeals process, new evidence and new witnesses cannot be brought forth. With post-conviction relief, your lawyer brings the case before the court where your sentence or trial took place. Sometimes lawyers might turn to post-conviction relief after the appeals process has been exhausted. However, in some instances, it might be appropriate to pursue post-conviction relief first. Whatever process your lawyer chooses to use, it is important that court deadlines and timelines be met, because failing to meet deadlines for relief or appeals can result in the denial of your appeal or claim for relief.

If you have been convicted or found guilty of a crime in a court of law, you might be wondering what your next steps should be. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are post-conviction relief lawyers in Pinellas County Florida who may be able to assist you with appealing your case, or seeking relief, when appropriate. Contact our post-conviction relief law firm today to learn more.

When Can Post-Conviction Relief Be Sought in Florida?


The American Bar Association outlines some situations where post-conviction relief might be sought in the same court where a person was charged for a crime. Unlike the appeals process, where the case is brought before a different court, post-conviction relief will take your case to the same court where you were tried. If you are not sure whether you should appeal your case or seek post-conviction relief, consider reaching out to Trevena, Pontrello and Associates, post-conviction relief attorneys in Pinellas County Florida. Our firm can review your case and help you understand the next steps. Here are some situations where post-conviction relief might be a remedy for your case:

• If your sentence was in violation of the Constitution, you may be able to seek post-conviction relief.
• If your conviction was made under a law that is believed to be in violation of the Constitution, you may have the right to seek post-conviction relief.
• If your lawyer believes that you were tried in a court without proper jurisdiction over your case, you may also have the right to seek post-conviction relief, or ask that the case be moved to an appropriate jurisdiction.
• If your sentencing exceeded maximum sentencing guidelines provided by the law, you may also have the right to seek post-conviction relief.
• If new evidence has come to light that could exonerate you, you may be able to pursue post-conviction relief.
• If the law has changed significantly since your trial, you may also be able to seek post-conviction relief. One example of this might be a person who is found guilty and charged with marijuana possession one week before a state legalizes marijuana.
• If you have already served your time in jail while waiting for your trial, but are still being held in jail, your post-conviction relief attorney may be able to ask the court for your release.

These are just some scenarios where post-conviction relief may be possible. Because the reasons why a person might seek post-conviction relief can overlap with the reasons why a person might seek an appeal, it is wise to consult with a post-conviction relief law firm like Trevena, Pontrello and Associates. Our firm can review your case and help you understand what remedies might be available to you.

Filing for Post-Conviction Relief in Florida


The appeals process and relief process is governed by strict timelines and guidelines involving court procedure. In order to seek an appeal or relief, you’ll need to file an appeal or file for post-conviction relief in a timely manner. Post-conviction relief may be subject to a statute of limitations. For example, you may have difficulty seeking relief after you have served your sentence or if you are seeking relief under certain circumstances. Determining the best avenue to appeal a sentence can involve arcane and complex aspects of the law. This is where having a lawyer by your side to navigate the process can make an immense difference. For example, post-conviction relief may not be appropriate if new DNA evidence has come to light that might exonerate you. What steps might you take in this instance? Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are post-conviction relief attorneys in Pinellas County Florida who can review your case and help you understand the next steps.

The best way to know whether you can move forward is to speak to a post-conviction relief law firm like Trevena | James, Attorneys At Law, in Pinellas County Florida. Navigating the court system can be complex. Trevena, Pontrello, & Associates may be able to help you. We can look at all the potential avenues available and help you understand the various options you might have.