Clients come to us at the hardest moment in a criminal case—after conviction, when the margin for error is gone. At Blau | Hynson, we accept fewer than five percent of inquiries each year. That selectivity isn’t about scarcity for its own sake; it’s how we deliver meaningful results in appellate and post-conviction work.

What “Merit” Actually Means

Appeals and post-conviction remedies turn on legal error, not on whether a verdict feels unfair. We look for issues that are preserved, reviewable, and material.  This may include, for example, incorrect rulings, constitutional violations, unlawful sentences, or newly discovered evidence that could change the result. If the record doesn’t support a reversible error (or the issue was waived), we’ll say so plainly. Clarity saves clients time, money, and heartache.

Why Timing Rules Everything

Deadlines are unforgiving. Notices of appeal, MAR timing, 2255 limitations, and discovery-related clocks can extinguish otherwise strong claims. We prioritize matters where action is still possible and where the procedural posture won’t doom the case before it starts. If you have an imminent deadline, you should contact counsel immediately—waiting can close doors that can’t be reopened.

Impact: Relief That Matters

We focus on cases where success would produce real relief—a new trial, a vacated judgment, a resentencing, removal from a registry, or other outcomes that materially change a client’s life. We also consider system impact: issues likely to clarify the law, correct recurring errors, or set guidance for courts and practitioners statewide.

Resources and Fit

Serious appellate and post-conviction work is resource-intensive and expensive. Transcripts, record assembly, investigation, experts, and multiple rounds of briefing require substantial investment of both time and funds. We take matters where the legal path is viable and the client is prepared for the demands of the process. That alignment lets us bring the focus and rigor your case deserves.

Ready for Straight Answers?

If you’re considering an appeal or post-conviction petition, we’ll evaluate your matter honestly. If there is a path, we’ll map it. If not, we’ll explain why and point you toward next steps where possible.

📞 Call (919) 256-3606 or complete our Post-Conviction Support Application to begin a confidential review.

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Key Takeaways

• We accept very few cases to pursue relief where the law and timing make success possible.
• Merit means legally reviewable, preserved, and material issues—not just dissatisfaction with the outcome.
• Deadlines are controlling factors. Strong claims can be barred if a deadline is missed.
• We prioritize outcomes that matter: new trials, vacated judgments, resentencing, or collateral-consequence relief.
• Serious post-conviction work requires significant resources; we take cases where strategy, timing, and client preparedness align.