Experts in Restorative Justice
There is no need for your loved ones to spend their lives in prison. There are remedies, and we have the experience and expertise to help.
Lawyers at Beles & Beles are distinguished as State Certified Criminal Law and State Certified Appellate Law Specialists. Fewer than 1% of California lawyers are State Certified Appellate Law Specialists.
To be recognized as a certified appellate law specialist, the lawyer has to take and pass a written examination, demonstrate a high level of experience in Appellate Law, fulfill ongoing education requirements and receive a favorable evaluation by other attorneys and judges familiar with her or his work
October 2023: Governor Newsom Signs AB600 into Law, Offering Resentencing Options
A new law allows judges to resentence people when the original sentence no longer aligns with current legislation. Laws change over time and sentences that are now considered to be outdated or unjust can be reduced.
- AB 600 amends PC 1172.1 to allow the court to recall a defendant's sentence at any time if applicable sentencing laws have changed since the time of sentencing.
If you or a loved one would like to know whether AB600 can affect a past sentence, please contact the Law Offices of Beles & Beles for a free consultation.
October 2021: Governor Newsom Signs SB 775 into Law, Offering Potential Relief to Defendants Convicted of Attempted Murder and Manslaughter.
A 2019 law in California allows defendants who have been convicted of felony murder, or murder under a "natural and probable consequences" doctrine, to petition the court to have their convictions vacated. On October 5, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 775 into law, which gives additional defendants the chance to seek relief from their convictions in court. SB 775 allows defendants convicted of attempted murder under the natural and probable consequences doctrine to ask the court to vacate their convictions. The new law also allows defendants convicted of manslaughter, who had been originally charged with felony murder or murder under a natural and probable consequences doctrine, to file petitions to vacate their convictions.
If you or a loved one was convicted of attempted murder or manslaughter, please contact the Law Offices of Beles & Beles for a free consultation.
Recent Successful Case Results
New Laws That Might Free Your Loved Ones or Reduce their Sentence
Beles & Beles has has been very successful in overturning murder convictions, reducing sentences, and winning early release from prison for our clients. Governor Newsom has recently passed legislation that may apply to your loved one's case. Our appellate lawyers have brought people back to court and have been able to reduce life sentences.
Some of these laws apply only to non-US Citizens. Others provide relief for only for juvenile convictions, for sex crime cases or for cases involving firearms enhancements. Please call our office so we can review the strategies that may be applicable to your loved one's case.
All Federal & California State Cases
For Help, Call Us 24/7!
We are experienced, we work hard, we care, and we get the best results.
Criminal accusations can be devastating unless dealt with in a discrete, sensitive, professional manner.
Let a specialist & our team of experienced Investigators & Experts help you.
- Criminal Appeals
- Motions for New Trial
- Wrongful Convictions
- Jury Bias
- Habeas Corpus Writs
- Misdemeanor Appeals
- Prosecutorial Misconduct
- Sex Offense Appeals
- Inadequate Representation
- All Courts: State & Federal
If you have been convicted of or pled guilty to a state or federal crime anywhere in California, please contact the criminal appeals lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert J. Beles to discuss appealing your conviction, challenging your sentence, or moving to set aside your guilty plea.
Criminal Appeals: Examining Legal Issues of Your Conviction
No doubt, you, your family, and your friends are devastated by your conviction. However, we would like to have the opportunity to explain to you that a criminal conviction at trial does not need to be the end of your legal battle. The criminal trial and appeals attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert J. Beles have extensive experience appealing wrongful convictions, inappropriately harsh sentences, and improper guilty pleas. Robert Beles and Anne Beles are criminal law specialists certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Through the criminal appeals process, we are prepared to attack the legal issues of your case. As we are trial lawyers ourselves, we are prepared to identify what went wrong in your original trial. Back to top
Wrongful Convictions
Modern scientific analysis of DNA evidence has led to numerous reversals of criminal convictions, even in death penalty cases. Our criminal appeals attorneys utilize all scientific evidence and legal analysis in defense of people who were wrongfully convicted of all crimes. The most common miscarriage of justice is a conviction based upon misidentification of the defendant. We have experts on that topic. Back to top
Habeas Corpus Writs
“Habeas corpus” is a Latin phrase meaning “bring the body,” which we translate to mean bring our clients home. As criminal appeals attorneys, we file writs of habeas corpus to challenge all improper actions at criminal trial. We have been successful appealing convictions and sentencing by investigating new evidence. We can frequently demonstrate that evidence used at trial, such as prejudicial statements or evidence gained during an illegal traffic stop or illegal search, should have been suppressed - or that evidence favorable to your defense was wrongly excluded. Habeas corpus writs can be filed many years after appeal rights have expired if new evidence is shown. Habeas corpus writs are an important way to get to the Federal Courts to reverse a state conviction. We have been successful in this area. Back to top
Prosecutorial Misconduct
You or your loved ones may have experienced overzealous district attorneys bending the rules in court. This is an appealable issue and can result in a reversal of a conviction. Back to top
Inadequate Representation and Poor Investigation
Your criminal defense lawyer might have done a very poor job defending you. If the attorney’s performance falls below the accepted norm, you may have been the victim of ineffective assistance of counsel. This can result in a new trial. Failing to properly investigate your case is improper representation. If witnesses should have been called, or experts employed, call us to set the record straight. Back to top
Motions for New Trial
After a jury has found a person guilty and before sentencing, a motion for a new trial can be made. Don’t miss that opportunity. Call us to ask the court to start over again. Back to top
Jury Bias
You have a right to a jury of your peers. That means a jury fairly chosen from an unbiased panel. Prejudice has no place in the courtroom or in any other part of our society. If you believe you were the victim of racial, gender, ethnic or religious prejudice, call us. Back to top
Misdemeanor Appeals
Often people are wrongfully convicted of misdemeanors such as drunk driving, indecent exposure, domestic violence or assault and battery. What most people, even many attorneys and judges, do not realize is that the simple act of filing a notice of appeal in a misdemeanor case puts an immediate stop on any jail, fine or probation. All aspects of sentencing await the decision on your appeal. We can help you with your misdemeanor appeal. Back to top
Sex Offense Appeals
Please see our Sex Offense Appeals page and read more on this area and about our expertise in getting people off of sex registration. Back to top
All Courts: State and Federal
Our criminal appeals experience includes appeals handled through the California Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court, the United States District Courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Back to top
