In the North Carolina court system, a post-conviction challenge to a conviction or sentence, whether after a jury trial or a guilty plea, involves filing a motion for appropriate relief, often called an MAR. This type of litigation is simply what its name implies: a request for whatever relief a defendant seeks, whether a dismissal of all charges, a new trial, or a new sentencing hearing. However, litigating a motion for appropriate relief is not simple. It requires a thorough review of all previous pleadings and hearings, interviews of various witnesses, research into key legal issues, preparing affidavits and supporting documents, and compiling a persuasive and convincing motion.
Our firm brings a full panoply of resources to bear in this effort. We have considerable experience in investigating, preparing, litigating, and winning motions for appropriate relief. We have the fortitude to tackle the tough issues often raised in these situations, including ineffective assistance of counsel and prosecutorial misconduct. We can marshal whatever newly discovered evidence may exist, including recanted testimony by alleged victims and other witnesses. We zealously advocate for our clients in this type of litigation.
