Post-Conviction Relief & Motions for Appropriate Relief (MARs)
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YOUR LAST CHANCE MAY STILL BE THE RIGHT ONE
When a direct appeal fails—or when no appeal was ever filed—post-conviction relief may offer another opportunity to challenge a criminal conviction or sentence. In North Carolina, that relief most often takes the form of a Motion for Appropriate Relief (MAR).
At Blau | Hynson, we focus exclusively on criminal appeals and post-conviction litigation. We represent clients who have exhausted traditional appellate options but still have legal, constitutional, or factual grounds for relief. Our team is precise, experienced, and relentless in its pursuit of justice—especially when no other remedy remains.
What Is a Motion for Appropriate Relief?
A Motion for Appropriate Relief is a post-conviction motion filed in the trial court where the original case was heard. Unlike an appeal, which is reviewed by a higher court, an MAR asks the trial court to reconsider the conviction or sentence in light of new evidence or serious legal error.
You may be eligible for an MAR if:
- New evidence has been discovered that would likely change the outcome of your case
- Your defense attorney was ineffective in representing you at trial or in a plea deal
- The prosecution committed misconduct or withheld exculpatory information
- The sentence imposed was unlawful or excessive
- Your guilty plea was entered unknowingly or under misleading circumstances
These motions are complex and time-sensitive. They require a thorough understanding and review of the original trial and appellate record, strategic investigation, and focused legal advocacy tailored to the specific relief being sought.
Federal Post-Conviction Remedies
In federal cases, similar relief may be pursued through 2254 or 2255 Motions to Vacate, also known as a federal habeas petition. These motions allow individuals to raise constitutional claims—after a conviction has been finalized. Like MARs, these motions are filed in the original trial court.
Why Experience Matters in Post-Conviction Litigation
Post-conviction work is technically complex and requires experienced and strategic legal judgment. It demands a high level of legal skill, a broad understanding of the trial and appellate process in criminal cases, critical thinking, and a willingness to pursue every possible angle. At Blau | Hynson, we bring all of that—and more. Our attorneys have secured meaningful post-conviction relief for clients across North Carolina in the most serious of cases, helping individuals reclaim years of their lives.
Ready to Review Your Case?
If you believe your conviction or sentence was unjust, it may not be too late to take action. Use our Post Conviction Support Application to contact Blau | Hynson today so that we can evaluate whether relief is possible in your case.
Key Points
- Post-conviction relief may be available even after an appeal has failed or no appeal was filed.
- In North Carolina, relief is sought through a Motion for Appropriate Relief (MAR).
- MARs are filed in the original trial court and may challenge certain legal or constitutional errors, raise issues of ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct, or new evidence.
- Federal post-conviction relief may be available through a 2255 Motion to Vacate.
- Blau | Hynson handles only criminal appeals and post-conviction matters—and does so with unmatched depth and focus.
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