federal appeal lawyer

After a wrongful conviction or an unjust criminal sentence, you can file an appeal to request relief from the appellate courts. However, appellate courts infrequently overturn convictions and sentences. If you choose to appeal your federal criminal case, you need legal counsel with extensive appellate experience. Broden & Mickelsen, LLP can help.

With over 70 years of combined experience in criminal law, our attorneys have a proven track record of success in post-conviction, appellate, and habeas proceedings in federal courts in Dallas and throughout the country. Contact us for a free initial case review to learn more about how our federal criminal appeals lawyers can help you with your appeal. Our firm stands ready to advocate on your behalf.

Call at 866-783-9278 or contact us online to arrange your free and confidential case review.

How Broden & Mickelsen, LLP Can Help with Your Federal Appeal Case

The criminal law and criminal appellate law board-certified specialists at Broden & Mickelsen, LLP have over 60 years of combined criminal defense experience, including extensive success for clients in post-conviction relief proceedings. When you hire us for your criminal appeal, we can:

  • Determine if you have legal grounds for an appeal
  • File your notice of appeal within the strict deadline
  • Conduct a meticulous review of the record
  • Draft appellate briefs and compelling legal arguments
  • Prepare and complete oral arguments, as necessary
  • Provide legal support and guidance throughout the entirety of your case

One family member of a former client said of our legal representation:

“Mick represented my brother recently. I can’t thank him enough for how he handled my brother’s case. Mick was very knowledgeable, experienced, professional, and responsive. Whenever I called or texted him for questions or concerns regarding my brother, he was very prompt to get back to me. If you need a criminal lawyer, he is THE ONE! Don’t waste your time & money on those lawyers who are only interested in your money without professionalism. My family and I have been grateful to him for his HELP!”

What Is a Federal Criminal Appeal?

A federal criminal appeal allows a defendant convicted of a federal crime to obtain relief if errors occurred during their trial that resulted in a wrongful conviction or an unfair or illegal sentence. Although defendants usually have waived their right to appeal when pleading guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, they have the right to appeal a conviction at trial. The government cannot appeal an acquittal but may have the right to challenge pre-trial rulings or a decision regarding sentencing, according to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

An appellate court may grant a criminal defendant various kinds of relief. Appellate courts can take any of the following actions regarding a trial court’s decision:

  • Uphold or affirm the conviction or sentence
  • Remand or send the case back to the trial court for further proceedings
  • Reverse or negate the conviction or sentence
  • Modify the conviction or sentence

If the lower court’s decision is affirmed, defendants may file a petition for writ of certiorari to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal. The Supreme Court provides a final opportunity for appeal. However, the Court has the discretion whether to take up an appeal and only hears a limited number of cases each year.

Our Experience with Federal Appeals

The federal criminal appeals lawyers at Broden & Mickelsen, LLP, have extensive experience representing defendants in appeals stretching back several decades. We have argued cases in seven of the twelve U.S. Circuit Courts and in the U.S. Supreme Court. Many criminal lawyers in Dallas do not handle appeals. However, our attorneys have received certifications in Criminal Defense Law and Criminal Appellate Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, reflecting our deep knowledge and skill in criminal law and criminal appeals. Our firm has handled numerous published federal appellate court cases, including:

  • United States v. Lockhart, 165 F.4th 933 (5th Cir. 2026)
  • United States v. Mancilla, 155 F. 4th 449 (5th Cir. 2025)
  • United States v. Shah, 95 F.4th 328 (5th Cir. 2024)
  • Tong v. United States, 81 F.4th 1022 (9th Cir. 2023)
  • In re Finn, 78 F.4th 153 (5th Cir. 2023)
  • United States v. Fischer, 64 F. 4th 329 (D.C. Cir. 2023)
  • United States v. Hagen, 60 F.4th 932 (5th Cir. 2023)
  • United States v. Caldwell, 38 F. 4th 1161 (5th Cir. 2022)
  • United States v. Brown, 898 F.3d 636 (5th Cir. 2018)
  • United States v. Heard, 891 F.3d 574 (5th Cir. 2018)
  • United States v. Oti, 872 F.3d 678 (5th Cir. 2017)
  • United States v. Nanda, 867 F.3d 522 (5th Cir. 2017)
  • United States v. Jackson, 849 F.3d 54 (3d Cir. 2017)
  • United States v. Holley, 831 F.3d 322 (5th Cir. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S.Ct. 2118 (2017)
  • United States v. Mahmood, 820 F.3d 177 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 137 S.Ct. 122 (2016)
  • United States v. Bowen, 818 F.3d 179 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 136 S.Ct. 2477 (2016)
  • United States v. Rodriguez-Lopez, 756 F.3d 422 (5th Cir. 2014)
  • Ladd v. Stephens, 748 F.3d 637 (5th Cir. 2014)
  • Scott v. Stephens, 748 F.3d 609 (5th Cir. 2014)
  • United States v. Simpson, 741 F.3d 539 (5th Cir. 2014)
  • United States v. Hughes, 741 F.3d 539 (5th Cir. 2013)
  • Cobb v. Thaler, 682 F.3d 364 (5th Cir. 2012)
  • United States v. Miller, 666 F.3d 905 (5th Cir. 2012)
  • United States v. Isiwele, 635 F.3d 196 (5th Cir. 2011)
  • United States v. Alston, 626 F.3d 397 (8th Cir. 2010)
  • Foster v. Thaler, 607 F.3d 391 (5th Cir.), cert denied, 131 S.Ct. 822 (2010)
  • United States v. Ogba, 526 F.3d 214 (5th Cir. 2008)
  • United States v. Gharbi, 510 F.3d 550 (5th Cir. 2007)
  • Horn v. Quarterman, 508 F.3d 306 (5th Cir. 2007)
  • United States v. Shum, 496 F.2d 390 (5th Cir. 2007)
  • United States v. Scroggins, 485 F.3d 824 (5th Cir.), cert denied, 128 S.Ct. 324 (2007)
  • United States v. Caver, 470 F.3d 220 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 127 S.Ct. 1921 (2007)
  • United States v. Fuchs, 467 F.3d 889 (5th Cir. 2006), cert. denied, 127 S.Ct. 1502 (2007)
  • United States v. Garza, 448 F.3d 294 (5th Cir. 2006)
  • United States v. Ragsdale, 426 F.3d 765 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 1202 (2006)
  • United States v. Saldana, 427 F.3d 298 (5th Cir 2005)
  • United States v. Scroggins, 411 F.3d 572 (5th Cir 2005)
  • United States v. Dotson, 407 F.3d 387 (5th Cir 2005)
  • Sample v. Morrison, 406 F.3d 310 (5th Cir 2005)
  • United States v. Scroggins, 379 F.3d 233 (5th Cir. 2004), cert. granted, 125 S.Ct 1062 (2005)
  • Mosley v. Dretke, 370 F.3d 467 (5th Cir 2004)
  • United States v. Miles, 360 F.3d 472 (5th Cir 2004)
  • United States v. Reinhart, 357 F.3d 521 (5th Cir. 2004)
  • United States v. Wells, 262 F.3d 455 (5th Cir. 2001)
  • United States v. Principe, 203 F.3d 849 (5th Cir. 2000)
  • Matthew v. Johnson, 201 F.3d 353 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 112 S.Ct. 291 (2000)
  • Chambers v. Johnson, 197 F.3d 732 (5th Cir. 1999)
  • United States v. Ramirez, 174 F.3d 584 (5th Cir. 1999)
  • United States v. Hogue, 132 F.3d 1087 (5th Cir. 1998)
  • United States v. Sullivan, 112 F.3d 180 (5th Cir. 1997)
  • United States v. Wells, 101 F.3d 370 (5th Cir. 1996)
  • United States v. Schinnell, 80 F.3d 1064 (5th Cir. 1996)
  • Clark v. Collins, 870 F.Supp. 132 (N.D. Tex. 1994), rev=d sub nom., Clark v. Scott, 70 F.3d 386 (5th Cir. 1995), cert. denied sub nom., Clark v. Johnson, 116 S. Ct. 1444 (1996)
  • United States v. Meeks, 69 F.3d 742 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • United States v. Underwood, 61 F.3d 306 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • United States v. Wadley, 59 F.3d 510 (5th Cir. 1995), reh=g denied, 83 F.3d 108 (5th Cir.)
    (Wiener, J., dissenting from denial of reh=g en banc), cert. denied, 117 S.Ct 240 (1996)
  • United States v. Jackson, 50 F.3d 1335 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • United States v. Green, 46 F.3d 461 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 515 U.S. 1167 (1995)
  • United States v. Bell, 46 F.3d 442 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • United States v. Fadipe, 43 F.3d 993 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • United States v. Wilson, 36 F.3d 1298 (5th Cir. 1994)
  • United States v. Smithers, 27 F.3d 142 (5th Cir. 1994)
  • United States v. Gross, 26 F.3d 552 (5th Cir. 1994)
  • United States v. Murphy, 996 F.2d 94 (5th Cir. 1993)
  • United States v. Voda, 994 F.2d 149 (5th Cir. 1993)
  • United States v. Wangler, 987 F.2d 228 (5th Cir. 1993)

Our legal team represents clients in federal appeals in Dallas and nationwide. We can help you with direct appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and post-conviction proceedings. Our firm can also file petitions for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. When you choose Broden & Mickelsen, LLP to help with your case, you can expect us to put in our maximum effort in pursuing a favorable result for you.