Minnesota Postconviction Relief
Postconviction relief is not a second appeal. It is a specialized, high-stakes legal process used to correct wrongful convictions, unconstitutional sentences, and fundamental errors that occurred before, during, or after trial. Very few attorneys handle postconviction cases effectively. Fewer still win them. Our firm focuses on strategic, evidence-driven postconviction litigation in Minnesota state courts, with a record of successful outcomes in complex and contested cases.
Attorney Sarah Gad escorts Mario Casciaro out of prison after his murder conviction was overturned.
When to Contact a Postconviction Attorney
You should speak with a postconviction attorney if:
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You believe your conviction was unconstitutional
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New evidence has come to light
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Your plea was entered under pressure, misinformation, or coercion
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You missed appeal deadlines or were misadvised
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Your sentence is unlawful or excessive
Postconviction cases require careful screening. We review records, transcripts, and procedural history before recommending a course of action. Our postconviction work has resulted in dismissals, plea withdrawals, evidentiary hearings, and sentence relief in cases involving serious felony convictions.If you are seeking serious postconviction representation in Minnesota, contact our office to request a confidential consultation.
If you are seeking serious postconviction representation in Minnesota, contact our office at 612-412-1710 to request a confidential consultation.
Grounds for Postconviction Relief
Postconviction petitions may be based on constitutional, statutory, or fundamental fairness violations, including but not limited to:
Constitutional Violations
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Ineffective assistance of trial or appellate counsel
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Involuntary or unknowing guilty pleas
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Sixth Amendment violations
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Unlawful searches or seizures
Newly Discovered Evidence
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Recanting witnesses
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Suppressed or undisclosed evidence
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New forensic or scientific evidence
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Evidence undermining trial testimony or plea foundations
Prosecutorial or Government Misconduct
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Brady violations (failure to disclose favorable evidence)
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Improper inducements or coercion
Invalid Sentences
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Sentences exceeding statutory authority
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Improper enhancements or aggravated sentences
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Misapplication of sentencing guidelines
Structural or Systemic Errors
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Denial of meaningful access to counsel
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Interference with attorney-client privilege
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Coercive confinement conditions affecting plea decisions
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We Do Focused Postconviction Work — Not Volume Work
Postconviction litigation is not an add-on to our criminal defense practice. It is a core specialty.
We are known for:
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Identifying overlooked constitutional issues
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Reconstructing defective records
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Litigating evidentiary hearings
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Challenging coerced pleas and unreliable convictions
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Taking cases others consider “final”
We do not file boilerplate petitions. Every case is evaluated individually, with an emphasis on credibility, precision, and long-term impact.
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Request a Confidential Postconviction Review
Postconviction cases require careful screening. We review records, transcripts, and procedural history before recommending a course of action. If you are seeking serious postconviction representation in Minnesota, contact our office to request a confidential consultation.
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We represent postconviction clients throughout Minnesota, including: Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Anoka County, Dakota County, Washington County, Scott County, Carver County. We also handle postconviction matters involving statewide convictions and cases with overlapping federal constitutional issues.