A criminal case does not end with a conviction or guilty plea. The sentencing phase and appellate process present critical opportunities to change the outcome. Mr. Withers combines deep knowledge of federal sentencing law with a successful appellate practice.
Effective advocacy at sentencing can significantly affect the length and nature of a sentence. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker, the federal sentencing guidelines are generally considered advisory, which means that compelling arguments for departures and variances can result in outcomes well below the guideline range. Mr. Withers has extensive experience in federal sentencing proceedings.
Mr. Withers argues for departures and variances based on the individual circumstances of each client. Results include home confinement for a local official (U.S. v. B.K.), probation instead of imprisonment for a marijuana distribution charge (State v. C.C.), and a 6-month sentence in place of a mandatory 20-year minimum after the conspiracy indictment was dismissed (U.S. v. Williams). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Appellate work demands a different set of skills than trial work — the ability to identify preserved issues, craft persuasive legal arguments, and present them effectively in written briefs. Mr. Withers brings these skills along with a trial lawyer’s practical understanding of what happened in the proceedings below.
The firm’s appellate results include reversal of a contempt conviction where the defendant had been held in custody for more than 200 days, release of a federal inmate serving a 21-year sentence through a successful First Step Act appeal, reversal of a former police chief’s indictment by the Supreme Court of Georgia, and a double jeopardy victory in the Georgia Court of Appeals. The firm handles appeals in the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of Georgia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Withers Law Firm for a confidential consultation. (912) 447-8400 | twithers@witherslawfirmpc.com
Facing a federal investigation or criminal charges? Contact us for a confidential consultation with a former federal prosecutor.
