Ann Arbor Criminal Appeals Attorney
Fighting to Overturn Wrongful Convictions for Ann Arbor Residents.
A criminal conviction handed down in a Washtenaw County courtroom does not have to be the final word. If you or someone you care about was convicted of a crime in Ann Arbor or anywhere in Washtenaw County, Michigan criminal appeals attorney Michael B. Skinner is prepared to review your case and fight for the justice you deserve. Skinner Law Office has spent more than 25 years doing one thing with exceptional skill — handling Michigan criminal appeals at the highest level.
Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan, one of the world's premier academic institutions, and it sits within the jurisdiction of the Washtenaw County Trial Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Cases originating from Ann Arbor can involve everything from campus-related charges to serious felonies tried in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Whatever the charge and whatever the outcome at trial, the appellate process exists to correct legal errors — and Attorney Skinner has the track record to pursue that correction with precision.
Why Ann Arbor Defendants Choose Skinner Law Office
Families and defendants throughout the Ann Arbor area contact Skinner Law Office because they want a criminal appeals attorney who does this work exclusively and does it exceptionally well. Attorney Michael B. Skinner is not a trial attorney who handles an occasional appeal. He is an appellate specialist with over 25 years of focused experience, recognized by the Detroit Free Press as an expert in Michigan appellate law and admitted to practice before every relevant Michigan and federal court — including the United States Supreme Court.
The distance between Ann Arbor and the Skinner Law Office in Lake Orion is no obstacle. Appellate work centers on written briefs and argument before the Michigan Court of Appeals — not local courthouse appearances. Attorney Skinner regularly serves clients throughout Washtenaw County and delivers the same level of focused, expert representation regardless of where in Michigan the original conviction occurred.
Common Grounds for Criminal Appeals in Ann Arbor Cases
Michigan criminal appeals succeed when a legal error occurred during the investigation, arrest, or trial that affected the outcome of the case. In Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor criminal cases, Attorney Skinner frequently encounters the following grounds:
- Ineffective assistance of trial counsel — failure to investigate, cross-examine, object, or advise the client properly
- Fourth Amendment violations — unlawful search or seizure during an Ann Arbor Police Department or Washtenaw County Sheriff investigation
- Miranda rights violations — statements taken without proper warnings or after invocation of the right to silence or counsel
- Prosecutorial misconduct — improper arguments, withheld evidence, or false testimony presented to the Washtenaw County jury
- Insufficient evidence — the prosecution failed to prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt
- Improper jury instructions — the trial judge gave the jury incorrect or misleading legal guidance
- Sentencing errors — guidelines were scored incorrectly or the sentence exceeded what the law authorizes
- Newly discovered evidence — evidence unavailable at trial that could change the verdict
Washtenaw County Court System and the Appeals Process
Ann Arbor criminal cases are tried in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for felony matters and the 15th District Court for misdemeanors. Felony convictions in Washtenaw County Circuit Court are appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which sits in Lansing, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. From there, defendants may seek further review before the Michigan Supreme Court or, if federal constitutional issues are present, in federal court.
The deadline to file a claim of appeal as of right from a Washtenaw County conviction is 42 days from sentencing. That window is strict and missing it can severely limit your options. If you have recently been sentenced in Ann Arbor or anywhere in Washtenaw County, contact Skinner Law Office today at (248) 693-4100.
Federal Court Access for Ann Arbor Cases
Ann Arbor sits within the Eastern District of Michigan for federal court purposes. When state appellate options have been exhausted and constitutional issues remain unresolved, Attorney Skinner can pursue federal habeas corpus relief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is also admitted to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, ensuring that Ann Arbor clients have access to representation at every level of the judicial system.
Call Skinner Law Office for an Ann Arbor Criminal Appeals Case Evaluation
If you are searching for a criminal appeals attorney near Ann Arbor, your search ends here. Skinner Law Office serves Washtenaw County and the entire state of Michigan. Call (248) 693-4100 or email mskinner@mskinner.com to schedule your case evaluation with Attorney Michael B. Skinner personally. Time is critical — do not wait.
