Practice Areas

Legal Services
Built to Win

Libre Litigation specializes exclusively in appellate and post-conviction law. When trial-level options are exhausted, we find the path forward.

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01

Full Case Evidence Review

You Can't Fight What You Can't See — We Find Everything.

Most wrongful convictions and unjust sentences survive not because the system worked correctly, but because critical errors were never identified. A Full Case Evidence Review is the foundation of every successful appeal. Our team performs a deep, methodical examination of your entire case record — every document, every transcript, every piece of evidence — using both experienced legal analysis and AI-powered research tools to uncover what trial counsel missed, what prosecutors concealed, and what courts failed to address.

Why a Full Evidence Review Changes Everything

Uncover Hidden Violations

Prosecutors are legally required to disclose favorable evidence. Violations happen often and go undetected. We look for every Brady/Giglio issue.

Expose Forensic Flaws

Lab errors, contamination, discredited techniques, and broken chains of custody are more common than courts admit. We find them.

Build a Winning Foundation

Every appeal is only as strong as its factual record. A full evidence review ensures no viable claim is overlooked before any strategy is locked in.

Know Before You File

Filing the wrong motion at the wrong time can waive rights and close doors permanently. A review tells you exactly what you have — and what to do with it.

What We Do

  • Complete review of all trial transcripts, police reports, and investigative files
  • Forensic analysis of physical evidence handling, chain of custody, and lab reports
  • Identification of suppressed, withheld, or newly available exculpatory evidence
  • Line-by-line examination of jury instructions for constitutional error
  • Review of prosecutorial conduct for Brady, Giglio, and Napue violations
  • Assessment of trial counsel's performance for Strickland ineffectiveness claims
  • AI-assisted case law research to match your facts to winning arguments
  • Written summary report detailing all viable legal claims and recommended strategy

Who This Is For

Anyone who believes their trial was unfair, that evidence was mishandled or hidden, or that their attorney failed them. This review is the essential first step — before any motion is filed or court is approached.

A thorough evidence review often reveals claims that change everything. Without it, you may be fighting blind.

Schedule a Consultation
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02

Direct Appeals

Challenge the Verdict. Demand Justice.

A direct appeal is your first — and often most critical — opportunity to challenge a wrongful conviction or unjust sentence. At Libre Litigation, we conduct an exhaustive review of trial records, transcripts, jury instructions, and rulings to identify every reversible error.

What We Do

  • Comprehensive trial record review and transcript analysis
  • Identification of constitutional violations and reversible error
  • Crafting persuasive appellate briefs and oral arguments
  • State appellate courts in Michigan, Arizona, and North Carolina
  • Federal circuit court appeals when constitutional issues arise

Who This Is For

Anyone convicted at trial who believes errors occurred — whether evidentiary rulings, improper jury instructions, prosecutorial misconduct, or ineffective assistance of counsel.

Most direct appeal deadlines are strict and cannot be extended. Act immediately.

Schedule a Consultation
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03

Post-Conviction Relief

When the Direct Appeal Ends, the Fight Doesn't.

A failed direct appeal is not the final word. Post-conviction proceedings allow us to raise new evidence, newly discovered facts, and constitutional claims that weren't — or couldn't be — raised on direct appeal.

What We Do

  • Motions for new trial based on newly discovered evidence
  • Claims of actual innocence supported by DNA or exculpatory evidence
  • Ineffective assistance of trial or appellate counsel (Strickland claims)
  • Brady/Giglio violations — suppressed evidence by prosecution
  • State post-conviction petitions in MI, AZ, and NC courts

Who This Is For

Defendants whose direct appeals have been exhausted or denied, and those with new evidence, witness recantations, or claims of constitutional violations that emerged after trial.

Post-conviction deadlines vary by state and issue. Contact us to evaluate your window.

Schedule a Consultation
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04

Federal Habeas Corpus

The Federal Constitution Protects You — We Enforce It.

Federal habeas corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (state prisoners) and § 2255 (federal prisoners) are powerful tools to challenge unconstitutional detentions in federal court. We navigate this complex terrain with precision.

What We Do

  • Section 2254 petitions for state prisoners raising federal constitutional claims
  • Section 2255 motions for federal prisoners challenging conviction or sentence
  • Exhaustion analysis and procedural default arguments
  • Compelling new evidence claims under Schlup/McQuiggin actual innocence gateways
  • Federal evidentiary hearings and briefing at the district and circuit level

Who This Is For

State and federal prisoners whose constitutional rights were violated and who have exhausted available state remedies. The one-year AEDPA statute of limitations makes timing critical.

Federal habeas has strict one-year deadlines. Don't wait — your window may be closing.

Schedule a Consultation
05

Sentence Modification

A Sentence Is Not Always the Last Word.

Sentences that were legal at the time of conviction may now be challengeable due to changes in law, retroactive guidelines, or compassionate grounds. We identify and pursue every available avenue for sentence reduction.

What We Do

  • Compassionate release motions under 18 U.S.C. § 3582 for federal prisoners
  • Retroactive application of sentencing guideline amendments (Amendment 821 and others)
  • State resentencing motions based on changes in law or new mitigating evidence
  • Youthful offender and juvenile lifer resentencing petitions post-Miller/Montgomery
  • Clemency and commutation petitions to state and federal executives

Who This Is For

Individuals serving sentences that may now be disproportionate, unconstitutional, or reducible under new law — including elderly inmates, those with serious medical conditions, and juvenile lifers.

Many sentence modification opportunities have deadlines or require swift action after a legal change.

Schedule a Consultation
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06

Civil Rights / § 1983

Hold Government Accountable.

When government officials violate your constitutional rights — through excessive force, unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, or denial of due process — 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides a path to justice. We fight these cases aggressively in federal court.

What We Do

  • Excessive force and police brutality claims under the Fourth Amendment
  • Unlawful arrest and false imprisonment
  • Malicious prosecution and fabricated evidence claims
  • Denial of due process and equal protection in government proceedings
  • Monell claims against municipalities for systemic unconstitutional policies

Who This Is For

Individuals whose constitutional rights were violated by law enforcement, corrections officers, prosecutors, judges acting outside their authority, or other government actors.

Civil rights claims carry statutes of limitations. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

Schedule a Consultation
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07

Case Consultation

Know Where You Stand. Know What's Possible.

Before charting a legal strategy, you need a clear picture of where you are and what avenues remain open. Our case consultations deliver an honest, thorough evaluation — no sugarcoating, no false hope, just sound legal analysis.

What We Do

  • Complete review of trial transcripts, court records, and prior filings
  • Identification of viable legal claims and relief pathways
  • Deadline analysis — critical windows you cannot afford to miss
  • Honest assessment of case strength and realistic outcomes
  • Strategic roadmap for next steps
  • Evaluation of prior counsel's performance and potential ineffectiveness claims
  • Written summary of findings and recommended actions

Who This Is For

Anyone who wants a second opinion on their case, is unsure whether valid claims remain, or needs help understanding the legal landscape before committing to a course of action.

A consultation is the foundation of every successful post-conviction strategy.

Schedule a Consultation
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08

Expungement & Record Sealing

A Past Mistake Shouldn't Define Your Future.

A criminal record can follow you for life — affecting employment, housing, professional licenses, and opportunities. Expungement and record sealing can legally erase or restrict access to past convictions and arrests, giving you a genuine fresh start. Libre Litigation guides clients through this process in Michigan, Arizona, and North Carolina, where eligibility rules and procedures vary significantly.

What We Do

  • Eligibility analysis under Michigan's Clean Slate Act, AZ expungement statutes, and NC expunction laws
  • Expungement of misdemeanor and eligible felony convictions
  • Sealing of arrest records, dismissed charges, and acquittals
  • Set-aside petitions in Arizona (statutory offense expungement equivalent)
  • Juvenile record sealing and expungement for youthful offenders
  • Restoration of civil rights, including voting rights and firearm eligibility
  • Professional licensing board petitions following expungement
  • Preparation and filing of all court documents and agency notifications

Who This Is For

Individuals who have completed their sentence, satisfied all conditions of probation or parole, and are seeking to move forward without the burden of a public criminal record. Eligibility depends on the offense, jurisdiction, and time elapsed.

Eligibility windows and waiting periods differ by state. A consultation will determine whether you qualify now — or when you will.

Schedule a Consultation
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09

Emergency Stays & Injunctions

When Time Is the Enemy, We Move Fast.

Some legal emergencies cannot wait. Pending executions, imminent deportations, unlawful incarceration, and irreparable constitutional violations demand immediate court intervention. Libre Litigation is equipped to move with urgency — filing emergency motions for stays of execution, injunctive relief, and emergency habeas petitions on an expedited basis when lives or liberty are on the line.

What We Do

  • Emergency stay of execution petitions in state and federal courts
  • Emergency habeas corpus filings to stop unlawful detention or transfer
  • Temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions in civil rights cases
  • Emergency motions to stay deportation proceedings tied to criminal convictions
  • Emergency appellate filings when trial court orders cause immediate irreparable harm
  • 24/7 availability for true legal emergencies
  • Coordination with state and federal public defenders when appropriate

Who This Is For

Clients or families facing imminent irreparable harm — including execution dates, unlawful transfers, or constitutional violations requiring immediate court relief. Speed and preparation are critical — contact us the moment an emergency arises.

Do not wait. Emergency relief requires immediate action. Every hour matters.

Schedule a Consultation
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10

Parole & Probation Revocation Defense

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For — Twice.

Being accused of violating parole or probation can send you back to prison — sometimes for longer than your original sentence. These proceedings move fast and offer fewer procedural protections than a criminal trial, but you still have rights. We appear at revocation hearings, challenge the evidence, and fight to keep you out of custody or minimize any sanction.

What We Do

  • Representation at parole revocation hearings before the Michigan Parole Board, Arizona Board of Executive Clemency, and NC Post-Release Supervision Commission
  • Representation at probation violation hearings in state court
  • Challenging the sufficiency and admissibility of alleged violation evidence
  • Negotiating for reinstatement of supervision with modified conditions instead of incarceration
  • Technical violation defense — distinguishing minor infractions from willful non-compliance
  • Constitutional challenges to supervision conditions that are unduly restrictive or vague
  • Appeals of adverse parole board decisions

Who This Is For

Individuals on parole or probation who have been accused of a violation — whether a new criminal charge, a technical violation, or a missed appointment. Revocation proceedings are adversarial. Having counsel is essential.

Revocation hearings are scheduled quickly. Contact us immediately upon receiving notice of a violation.

Schedule a Consultation
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11

Appellate Consulting for Attorneys

Expert Support Behind the Scenes.

Not every attorney specializes in appellate work — and appellate courts are an entirely different arena from trial. Libre Litigation provides behind-the-scenes consulting and co-counsel support to trial attorneys and law firms who need appellate expertise on briefs, oral argument preparation, post-trial motions, and issue preservation strategy.

What We Do

  • Issue spotting and preservation strategy during trial proceedings
  • Ghostwriting and editing of appellate briefs for trial counsel
  • Oral argument preparation, moot court, and feedback coaching
  • Research memoranda on complex constitutional and procedural issues
  • Post-trial motion practice — motions for new trial, JNOV, and reconsideration
  • Second opinions on pending appellate strategies
  • Co-counsel arrangements for attorneys handling their first appeal
  • Expert review of opposing counsel's briefs for counterargument development

Who This Is For

Trial attorneys, solo practitioners, and small law firms who need specialized appellate support without referring out the entire case. All work can be provided confidentially under a co-counsel or consulting arrangement.

Appellate work is a specialty. Partnering with an expert can make the difference between a winning brief and a lost appeal.

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Our Process

How We Fight for You

Every case follows a rigorous, disciplined process designed to leave nothing on the table.

01

Initial Consultation

We review your case materials, listen to your story, and give you an honest assessment of viable legal strategies and deadlines.

02

Deep Case Investigation

Our team conducts exhaustive record review — trial transcripts, evidence, prior filings — using AI-assisted legal research to uncover every arguable issue.

03

Strategic Brief Drafting

We craft persuasive, court-ready briefs that clearly articulate your constitutional and legal claims with precision and authority.

04

Filing & Litigation

We file in the appropriate court, manage all deadlines, argue your case zealously, and pursue every avenue until relief is obtained.

FAQ

Common Questions

Do you handle cases outside Michigan, Arizona, and North Carolina?+

Mr. Sharp is licensed in Michigan (#P87887), Arizona (#040989), and North Carolina (#64961). For matters in other states, we may be able to assist through pro hac vice admission or referral to trusted co-counsel. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

How do I know if my case has valid appellate issues?+

The only way to know for certain is a thorough review of your case record. Many clients are surprised to find significant legal issues that were overlooked at trial — including constitutional violations, ineffective assistance of counsel, and suppressed evidence. A consultation is the first step.

I lost my direct appeal years ago. Are there still options?+

Often, yes. Post-conviction proceedings, federal habeas corpus petitions, sentence modification motions, and clemency may all remain available depending on your circumstances and applicable deadlines. Time matters — contact us immediately to evaluate what windows remain open.

What is the difference between a direct appeal and post-conviction relief?+

A direct appeal challenges what happened at trial — errors made by the judge, prosecutor, or jury during the trial itself. Post-conviction relief is filed after the direct appeal and can raise new claims: newly discovered evidence, witness recantations, ineffective assistance of counsel, and constitutional violations that couldn't have been raised earlier. Both are powerful tools — and both have strict deadlines.

Can I appeal a guilty plea?+

Yes, in certain circumstances. A guilty plea can be challenged if it was entered involuntarily, if your attorney failed to properly advise you of its consequences, if the plea colloquy was constitutionally deficient, or if new evidence emerges that would have affected your decision to plead. The legal standards are demanding, but these challenges succeed when properly presented.

How long does an appeal take?+

It depends on the court, the complexity of the issues, and the relief sought. State direct appeals often take 1–3 years from filing to final decision. Federal habeas proceedings can take 2–5 years or longer. Sentence modification motions and emergency proceedings can move much faster. We provide realistic timelines during the consultation based on your specific case and jurisdiction.

My loved one is incarcerated. Can I hire you on their behalf?+

Absolutely. Family members frequently contact us on behalf of incarcerated individuals, and we work with both the client and their family throughout the process. We can communicate with you, with the incarcerated individual directly through the prison mail and call system, or both — whatever arrangement works best.

What are your fees?+

Fee arrangements vary based on the complexity of the case, the jurisdiction, and the nature of the relief sought. We discuss fee structures transparently during the consultation so there are no surprises. Payment plans are available, and we accept multiple payment methods including credit/debit cards, eCheck, Zelle, Cash App, and Affirm pay-later financing for qualifying amounts.

What is federal habeas corpus and when does it apply?+

Federal habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 allows state prisoners to challenge their conviction or sentence in federal court on the grounds that their federal constitutional rights were violated. It is typically available after state remedies are exhausted. Federal prisoners use § 2255 motions instead. Both carry a strict one-year AEDPA statute of limitations that begins running at specific triggering events. Missing this deadline can permanently close the federal courthouse door.

What is ineffective assistance of counsel?+

Under Strickland v. Washington, you have a constitutional right to competent legal representation. If your trial attorney's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness AND that deficiency prejudiced the outcome of your case, you have a viable ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC) claim. Common examples include failure to investigate, failure to call witnesses, failure to object to constitutional violations, and deficient plea advice. IAC is one of the most frequently litigated post-conviction claims.

What is a Brady violation?+

A Brady violation occurs when the prosecution fails to disclose evidence that is favorable to the defendant and material to guilt or punishment. Named after Brady v. Maryland (1963), this constitutional rule requires prosecutors to turn over exculpatory evidence — including evidence that could impeach their own witnesses (Giglio violations). Brady violations are unfortunately common and can be grounds for overturning a conviction even years later.

How does AI-powered research benefit my case?+

We integrate cutting-edge AI legal research tools with traditional legal analysis to ensure no relevant precedent, statute, or argument is overlooked. This means faster, more comprehensive case analysis — identifying obscure but controlling cases, tracking recent circuit splits, and stress-testing arguments before they reach a judge. It's a critical edge in complex appellate matters.

Am I eligible for expungement?+

Eligibility depends on your state, the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since conviction, and whether you have satisfied all terms of your sentence. Michigan's Clean Slate Act significantly expanded expungement eligibility in 2021. Arizona and North Carolina each have their own distinct procedures. A consultation will give you a clear answer based on your specific record.

What happens if I miss my appeal deadline?+

Missing an appellate deadline can be devastating and in some cases permanently waives the right to pursue that avenue of relief. However, there are limited circumstances where courts will excuse late filings — ineffective assistance of counsel in missing the deadline, newly discovered evidence, or certain equitable tolling doctrines. If you have missed a deadline, contact us immediately. Do not assume the door is permanently closed without speaking to an attorney first.

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Don't See Your Situation Listed?

Appellate and post-conviction law is complex and fact-specific. If you don't see your exact situation above, don't assume there's nothing that can be done. Contact us — we'll give you an honest answer.

Ask Us Directly

Ready to Fight Back?

Your Second Chance
Starts Here

Don't wait. Appellate deadlines are unforgiving. Contact Libre Litigation today for a thorough, honest evaluation of your case.