Criminal Defense & Appeals

Criminal Defense

If you have been charged with, or arrested for, a crime, you need an attorney who is sharp and relentless. Attorney Barnwell has worked on cases varying from drug distribution to sex offenses to murder to terrorism, among others.

Criminal Appeals 

If you have been convicted of crime by a jury or judge, you most likely have the right to appeal that conviction to the Appeals Court of Massachusetts, to the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  You could also appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. You may also have the right to appeal your sentence. Attorney Barnwell has worked on a vast array of criminal appeals, and she has argued cases before the United State Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Massachusetts Appeals Court. She knows that nothing can replace hard work, a drive towards justice and a well-written brief. She has secured several victories in direct criminal appeals.

Civil Appeals

At some point, you or your business may be disappointed by a lower court judgment, whether it be a divorce, property or employment case, and you may wish to seek relief from an appellate court. Or, you may have learned that the other side is appealing a case that you won, and you need a lawyer to defend you in the appeal. Attorney Barnwell is not afraid of the complex, difficult challenge which civil appeals often bring. She also welcomes referrals from attorneys who lack experience litigating appeals, or who wish to consult with an attorney who can give a fresh, appellate perspective.

Post-Conviction Work 

If an appellate court has affirmed your conviction, it may feel like all hope is lost. But there may still be hope in the form of a motion for new trial, a motion to correct an illegal sentence, a habeas corpus petition in federal district court or a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States. Attorney Barnwell has experience in litigating these avenues for potential relief, and she has secured several victories.