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BEVERLY HILLS ATTORNEY


ALL STATE & FEDERAL COURTS

WHITE COLLAR - CIVIL RIGHTS - APPEALS - WRITS - INVESTIGATIONS

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HONORS IN ECONOMICS | COMPUTER SCIENCE | CYBERSECURITY

BOLD AGGRESSIVE DETERMINED

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PUBLISHED APPEALS | EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL RESULTS


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PUBLISHED OPINION IN NINTH CIRCUIT-TOP 3 TRIAL ATTORNEY IN CALIFORNIA

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FREE CONSULTATION

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TENACIOUS & FIERCELY PROTECTIVE OF CLIENT'S INTERESTS


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Bold, aggressive, unstoppable - never, never, never quits

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Capable of explaining complicated legal issues in simplest terms.


       PERSUASIVE WITH COURTS AND JURIES

WELCOME TO WEX LAW, WHERE PRECISION, ACCURACY AND PERSPECTIVE MEETS PASSION IN
THE COURTROOM! WITH A BLEND OF QUICK WIT AND WARM CHARM, THE ATTORNEYS AT WEX
LAW NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF TRIAL AND APPELLATE LAW, ENSURING THAT EVERY
CLIENT FEELS HEARD AND EFFECTIVELY REPRESENTED. WEX LAW'S EXTENSIVE
UNDERSTANDING OF COURTROOM POLITICS, PAIRED WITH A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW,
EMPOWERS THE FIRM TO CRAFT COMPELLING STRATEGIES TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE CASE.
WHETHER YOU'RE FACING A TRIAL OR SEEKING AN APPEAL, YOU CAN TRUST THAT YOUR
LEGAL JOURNEY WILL BE HANDLED WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND EXPERTISE. FOR DECADES,
WEX LAW TOGETHER WITH THEIR CLIENTS, HAVE TURNED  THE CHALLENGES OF THE
COURTROOM INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS!     

MANY, LAWYERS AND CLIENT'S ALIKE, ARE NOT FULLY APPRECIATIVE THAT A JUDGE'S
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY ISN'T TO ENFORCE THE LAW BUT, IT FUNDAMENTALLY INVOLVES
THE NUANCE OF INTERPRETATION OF LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND STATUTES.   ACCORDINGLY,
DIFFERENT JUDGES CAN HAVE VERY SIMILAR CASES WITH DIFFERENT RESULTS. THAT'S A
SIGNIFICANT REASON FOR THE APPELLATE PROCESS, WHEN THE CLIENT DISAGREES WITH THE
JUDGE'S INTERPRETATION, THE CLIENT CAN REQUEST ANOTHER INTERPRETATION FROM THE
APPELLATE COURT.

A LEGAL MATTER CAN BE LIKENED TO OTHER COMPETITIVE ARENAS DUE TO THE PERVASIVE
INFLUENE OF COURTROOM DYNAMICS, WHERE STRATEGIC MANUEVERING AND PERSUASIVE
TACTICS ARE TYPICALLY MORE IMPORTANT THAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW. THE SUCCESSFUL
ATTORNEY HAS AN EXTENSIVE SKILLSET THAT INCLUDES UNDERSTANDING AND ACKNOWLEDGING
COURTROOM POLITICS, ALONG WITH INGENUITY, FINESSE, QUICK-WITTED, WISDOM,
SOCIAL-SKILLS, PSYCHOLOGY AND GREAT PRESENTATION SKILLS.

NO TWO JUDGES ARE ALIKE. NOT REALIZED BY MANY ATTORNEYS AND CLIENTS, JUDGES
DON'T ENFORCE THE LAW -- JUDGES INTERPRET THE LAW.   TWO DIFFERENT JUDGES CAN
SUBMIT THE SAME MOTION AND HAVE DIFFERENT RESULTS. TWO DIFFERENT ATTORNEYS CAN
HAVE THE SAME FACTS AND REACH DIFFERENT VERDICTS. A LEGAL MATTER IS SIMILAR TO
OTHER CONTESTS SUCH THAT IT REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW. IT'S
MORE THAN JUST THE LAW -- IT ALSO INVOLVES EMOTIONS AND COURTROOM POLITICS. A
SUCCESSFUL ATTORNEY HAS AN EXTENSIVE SKILLSET THAT INCLUDES EMOTIONAL LEVERAGE,
COURTROOM POLITICS, INGENUITY, FINESSE, QUICK-WITTED, WISDOM, SOCIAL-SKILLS AND
GREAT PRESENTATION SKILLS.

DECADES AGO, AT MICHAEL DEVEREUX'S FIRST TRIAL, HIS CLIENT WAS FACING 8-10 YEARS
FOR SEVERAL COUNTS OF CYBERCRIME, DRUG POSSESSION, AND EX-FELON WITH A FIREARM.
THE CLIENT INSISTED ON TRIAL. AT TRIAL, THE JURY ACQUITTED THE CLIENT ON ALL THE
CYBERCRIME COUNTS, THE EX-FELON WITH A FIREARM, BUT CONVICTED THE CLIENT ON THE
DRUG POSSESSION. CLIENT SENTENCED WAS REDUCED TO 2 YEARS. AT MICHAEL'S SECOND
TRIAL, THE CLIENT WAS ACQUITTED ON ALL CHARGES. MICHAEL HAS NEVER LOOKED BACK.
IN FACT IN MICHAEL'S FIRST FEDERAL TRIAL, IN FRONT OF A VERY TOUGH FEDERAL
JUDGE, THE CLIENT WAS ACQUITTED MUCH TO THE DISPLEASURE TO THE FEDERAL JUDGE.
MICHAEL'S SUCCESS AT TRIAL IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

YEARS LATER, MICHAEL WAS RETAINED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF AN APPEAL IN FRONT OF
THE NINTH CIRCUIT, REGARDING A CYBERCRIME. THE NINTH CIRCUIT CHOSED THE APPEAL
AS PRECEDENT-SETTING LAW, THUS PUBLISHING THE OPINION - A DISTINCTION FEW
APPELLATE ATTORNEYS RARELY RECEIVE. RECENTLY, MICHAEL HAS SUBMITTED A HEALTHCARE
MATTER TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ON APPEAL REGARDING THE COURT'S RECENT
RUAN RULING, WHICH CHANGED HOW JURIES DETERMINE FRAUD. INTENT IS NO LONGER BASED
UPON THE CONDUCT ITSELF, RATHER INTENT IS NOW BASED UPON WHETHER OR NOT THE
CONDUCT WAS AN ACCEPTABLE INDUSTRY NORM. IF THE CONDUCT IS AN ACCEPTABLE
INDUSTRY NORM THEN IT ISN'T CONSIDERED INTENTIONAL. INTENT IS A MAJOR LEGAL
ELEMENT TO FRAUD. IF YOU WERE CONVICTED OF HEALTHCARE FRAUD, YOU MAY WANT TO
DISCUSS WITH A POST-CONVICTION ATTORNEY HOW TO HAVE THE CONVICTION OVERTURNED
WITH A WRIT.

ALTHOUGH SIMILAR, A WRIT IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN AN APPEAL. WHEREAS AN
APPEAL IS ONLY BASED UPON WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE COURTROOM, THE CLERK'S
RECORD, I.E. MOTIONS, ETC., AND THE RECORDER'S TRANSCRIPTS, A WRIT WILL ALSO
INCLUDE EVERYTHING SIGNIFICANT OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, I.E NEW FINDINGS, NEW LAW,
EVIDENCE THAT WAS SUPPRESSED, ETC. THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF WRITS, THE MOST
COMMONLY RECOGNIZED IS THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS USED TO DETERMINE IF THE
CONVICTED PERSON'S IMPRISONMENT OR DETENTION IS LAWFUL.

ANOTHER WRIT IS CALLED THE WRIT OF CORAM NOBIS WHICH IS TO CALL TO THE COURT'S
ATTENTION FACTS THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE JUDGMENT BUT WERE OUTSIDE THE RECORD
AND UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF JUDGMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPRESSED EVIDENCE OR A
CHANGE IN THE LAW OR INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL IS AN EXAMPLE OF FACTS
THAT CHANGED SINCE THE JUDGMENT. WHILE AT THE TRIAL COURT LEVEL, THE WRIT IS
REFERRED AS A WRIT OF CORAM NOBIS. AT THE APPELLATE LEVEL, IT IS KNOWN AS THE
WRIT OF CORAM VOBIS. OTHER TYPES OF WRITS INCLUDE THE WRIT OF MANDAMUS, THE WRIT
OF MANDATE, THE WRIT OF PROHIBITION, ETC.

FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, ALTHOUGH RARE, MICHAEL DEVEREUS HAS SUBMITTED MANY WRITS
FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS SPECIFICALLY FOR EX-FELONS. TO DATE, ALL OF THEM HAVE
BEEN GRANTED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WRITS, APPEALS AND TRIALS OR EVEN TO HAVE
YOUR FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORED, CALL OUR OFFICE.


> WEXFORD LAW
> 
> You need legal assistance. You likely have family friends or a friend of the
> family who are attorneys, and they are likely good at what they do. However,
> unless they are exceptional lawyers, they are not going to have the skills you
> need. Of course, getting a client in the door and representing them
> effectively are two different matters. A trial attorney is different than a
> contract attorney and an estate attorney is different than a criminal attorney
> and a civil attorney is different than a bankruptcy attorney and a corporate
> attorney is different than an immigration attorney. In many ways, the
> difference between a state attorney and a federal attorney is even wider. If
> you are a business owner, an executive or healthcare practitioner it is
> important for your attorney to understand your business. Before Michael
> Devereux became an attorney, he spent over 20 years as a business and computer
> consultant in various industries, including entertainment, energy, healthcare,
> defense industry, financial industry, real estate, computer industry, and
> communications industry. To provide the most effective and efficient legal
> representation, the best lawyers have two discrete bodies of knowledge - law
> and a strong understanding of the client's business. Client's don't need to
> pay an attorney by the hour to understand their business. Clients need an
> attorney that understands the normal practice standards within their industry.
> Prosecutors do no understand what is acceptable standards within an industry
> and neither do attorneys from large firms because they rarely have a business
> background. When you are being a target in a legal proceding, you need your
> attorney to hit the ground running without the need to explain your business.
> 
> Michael DevereuxAward Winning Attorney




TESTIMONIALS

> GREAT ATTORNEY
> 
> Mr. Devereux and his firm did an outstanding job with understanding and
> handling my case. From the initial consultation on the phone, Mr. Devereux put
> me at ease that the situation could be taken care of. Let me just say that I'm
> not an educated man, but I do know how to treat people, and I know when
> someone has a good heart. I would like to personally thank Mr. Devereux for
> communicating with me constantly during the process, and for responding to my
> emails and/or phone calls in a very timely fashion. Thank you!!!!
> 
> TJ
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> FIVE STARS ISN'T ENOUGH...
> 
> When I had the good fortune to be represented by Mr. Devereux I was reminded
> that God does indeed work through others. I owe this man my life, literally.
> Everyone told me my case was hopeless, that I was a fool to take this to trial
> and this man had faith in me and his ability to give me a fair trial and
> ultimately an astounding new belief in humanity. Watching him in action was
> like watching a surgeon save a life.I believed he truly cared about me and my
> case. I can't thank him enough. Thank you Mr. Devereux!!
> 
> Brook
> 
> Calabasas, Los Angeles, California

> SUPER LAWYER BEAT THE PANTS OFF THE PROSECUTOR & THE JUDGE-WINS UNANIMOUSLY IN
> LESS THAN 40 MINUTES OF JURY DELIBERATION.
> 
> YES, I highly recommend Michael as a Super Lawyer. Michael took my case to the
> full jury trial because the issue was politically sensitive and he beat the
> pants off the Prosecutor. The prosecutor commented such and shook his hand at
> the end. Michael is a fact driven lawyer. He fights to WIN. Although the
> experience is troubling for anyone to have to go to court, Michael takes the
> burden away & off the client.
> 
> Shawn
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> ONE OF THE MOST ETHICAL LAWYERS I’VE EVER KNOWN...
> 
> Let me start by saying I am extremely pleased by Mr. Devereux's work,
> professionalism, and devotion to his clients. He was very honest and never
> made any false promises about the outcome of my case nor did he try to seek
> compensation further than our initial contract. I initially consulted and even
> hired other experienced attorneys but nothing got accomplished. Mr. Devereux
> worked on my case for over six months and was able to get my case dismissed
> which I was told by previous attorneys was impossible. My husband and I are
> forever grateful for his great work!
> 
> Fabiola
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> BRILLANT & INFORMATIVE ATTORNEY
> 
> Michael came to us when we were in crisis and had just lost 500k in an
> internet wire fraud hack job by criminals. He lightened us up with good
> information and follows up. Just a really nice good guy and easy to talk too.
> 
> Sam
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> INTERNET EXTORTION CASE
> 
> When I thought my case was impossible, Michael came to the rescue. His
> knowledge of internet forensics is beyond impressive. I cannot thank him and
> his team enough for all of their hard work.
> 
> Courtney
> 
> Malibu, Los Angeles, California

> GREAT ATTORNEY
> 
> Mr. Devereux and his firm did an outstanding job with understanding and
> handling my case. From the initial consultation on the phone, Mr. Devereux put
> me at ease that the situation could be taken care of. Let me just say that I'm
> not an educated man, but I do know how to treat people, and I know when
> someone has a good heart. I would like to personally thank Mr. Devereux for
> communicating with me constantly during the process, and for responding to my
> emails and/or phone calls in a very timely fashion. Thank you!!!!
> 
> TJ
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> FIVE STARS ISN'T ENOUGH...
> 
> When I had the good fortune to be represented by Mr. Devereux I was reminded
> that God does indeed work through others. I owe this man my life, literally.
> Everyone told me my case was hopeless, that I was a fool to take this to trial
> and this man had faith in me and his ability to give me a fair trial and
> ultimately an astounding new belief in humanity. Watching him in action was
> like watching a surgeon save a life.I believed he truly cared about me and my
> case. I can't thank him enough. Thank you Mr. Devereux!!
> 
> Brook
> 
> Calabasas, Los Angeles, California

> SUPER LAWYER BEAT THE PANTS OFF THE PROSECUTOR & THE JUDGE-WINS UNANIMOUSLY IN
> LESS THAN 40 MINUTES OF JURY DELIBERATION.
> 
> YES, I highly recommend Michael as a Super Lawyer. Michael took my case to the
> full jury trial because the issue was politically sensitive and he beat the
> pants off the Prosecutor. The prosecutor commented such and shook his hand at
> the end. Michael is a fact driven lawyer. He fights to WIN. Although the
> experience is troubling for anyone to have to go to court, Michael takes the
> burden away & off the client.
> 
> Shawn
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> ONE OF THE MOST ETHICAL LAWYERS I’VE EVER KNOWN...
> 
> Let me start by saying I am extremely pleased by Mr. Devereux's work,
> professionalism, and devotion to his clients. He was very honest and never
> made any false promises about the outcome of my case nor did he try to seek
> compensation further than our initial contract. I initially consulted and even
> hired other experienced attorneys but nothing got accomplished. Mr. Devereux
> worked on my case for over six months and was able to get my case dismissed
> which I was told by previous attorneys was impossible. My husband and I are
> forever grateful for his great work!
> 
> Fabiola
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> BRILLANT & INFORMATIVE ATTORNEY
> 
> Michael came to us when we were in crisis and had just lost 500k in an
> internet wire fraud hack job by criminals. He lightened us up with good
> information and follows up. Just a really nice good guy and easy to talk too.
> 
> Sam
> 
> Los Angeles, California

> INTERNET EXTORTION CASE
> 
> When I thought my case was impossible, Michael came to the rescue. His
> knowledge of internet forensics is beyond impressive. I cannot thank him and
> his team enough for all of their hard work.
> 
> Courtney
> 
> Malibu, Los Angeles, California





THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM

THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM HAS THREE MAIN LEVELS: DISTRICT COURTS (THE TRIAL
COURT), CIRCUIT COURTS WHICH ARE THE FIRST LEVEL OF APPEAL, AND THE SUPREME
COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE FINAL LEVEL OF APPEAL IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM.
THERE ARE 94 DISTRICT COURTS, 13 CIRCUIT COURTS, AND ONE SUPREME COURT
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

COURTS IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM WORK DIFFERENTLY IN MANY WAYS THAN STATE COURTS.
THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCE FOR CIVIL CASES (AS OPPOSED TO CRIMINAL CASES) IS THE
TYPES OF CASES THAT CAN BE HEARD IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM. FEDERAL COURTS ARE
COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, MEANING THEY CAN ONLY HEAR CASES AUTHORIZED BY
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OR FEDERAL STATUTES. THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT
IS THE STARTING POINT FOR ANY CASE ARISING UNDER FEDERAL STATUTES, THE
CONSTITUTION, OR TREATIES. THIS TYPE OF JURISDICTION IS CALLED “ORIGINAL
JURISDICTION.” SOMETIMES, THE JURISDICTION OF STATE COURTS WILL OVERLAP WITH
THAT OF FEDERAL COURTS, MEANING THAT SOME CASES CAN BE BROUGHT IN BOTH COURTS.
THE PLAINTIFF HAS THE INITIAL CHOICE OF BRINGING THE CASE IN STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT. HOWEVER, IF THE PLAINTIFF CHOOSES STATE COURT, THE DEFENDANT MAY
SOMETIMES CHOOSE TO “REMOVE” TO FEDERAL COURT.

CASES THAT ARE ENTIRELY BASED ON STATE LAW MAY BE BROUGHT IN FEDERAL COURT UNDER
THE COURT’S “DIVERSITY JURISDICTION.” DIVERSITY JURISDICTION ALLOWS A PLAINTIFF
OF ONE STATE TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT WHEN THE DEFENDANT IS LOCATED IN
A DIFFERENT STATE. THE DEFENDANT CAN ALSO SEEK TO “REMOVE” FROM STATE COURT FOR
THE SAME REASON. TO BRING A STATE LAW CLAIM IN FEDERAL COURT, ALL OF THE
PLAINTIFFS MUST BE LOCATED IN DIFFERENT STATES THAN ALL OF THE DEFENDANTS, AND
THE “AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY” MUST BE MORE THAN $75,000. (NOTE: THE RULES FOR
DIVERSITY JURISDICTION ARE MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN EXPLAINED HERE.)

CRIMINAL CASES MAY NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER DIVERSITY JURISDICTION. STATES MAY ONLY
BRING CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS IN STATE COURTS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY ONLY
BRING CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS IN FEDERAL COURT. ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THE
PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE JEOPARDY – WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW A DEFENDANT TO BE TRIED
TWICE FOR THE SAME CHARGE – DOES NOT APPLY BETWEEN THE FEDERAL AND STATE
GOVERNMENT. IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATE BRINGS A MURDER CHARGE AND DOES NOT GET A
CONVICTION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN SOME CASES TO FILE
CHARGES AGAINST THE DEFENDANT IF THE ACT IS ALSO ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

FEDERAL JUDGES (AND SUPREME COURT “JUSTICES”) ARE SELECTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND
CONFIRMED “WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT” OF THE SENATE AND “SHALL HOLD THEIR
OFFICES DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR.” JUDGES MAY HOLD THEIR POSITION FOR THE REST OF
THEIR LIVES, BUT MANY RESIGN OR RETIRE EARLIER. THEY MAY ALSO BE REMOVED BY
IMPEACHMENT BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND CONVICTION BY THE SENATE.
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, FIFTEEN FEDERAL JUDGES HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED DUE TO ALLEGED
WRONGDOING. ONE EXCEPTION TO THE LIFETIME APPOINTMENT IS FOR MAGISTRATE JUDGES,
WHICH ARE SELECTED BY DISTRICT JUDGES AND SERVE A SPECIFIED TERM.


DISTRICT COURTS

THE DISTRICT COURTS ARE THE GENERAL TRIAL COURTS OF THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM.
EACH DISTRICT COURT HAS AT LEAST ONE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE, APPOINTED BY
THE PRESIDENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE FOR A LIFE TERM. DISTRICT COURTS
HANDLE TRIALS WITHIN THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM – BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL. THE
DISTRICTS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR THE U.S. ATTORNEYS, AND THE U.S. ATTORNEY IS
THE PRIMARY PROSECUTOR FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN HIS OR HER RESPECTIVE AREA.

DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE COURT AND SUPERVISING THE
COURT’S EMPLOYEES. THEY ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE SO LONG AS THEY MAINTAIN
“GOOD BEHAVIOR,” AND THEY CAN BE IMPEACHED AND REMOVED BY CONGRESS. THERE ARE
OVER 670 DISTRICT COURT JUDGES NATIONWIDE.

SOME TASKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT ARE GIVEN TO FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGES.
MAGISTRATES ARE APPOINTED BY THE DISTRICT COURT BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE JUDGES
AND SERVE FOR A TERM OF EIGHT YEARS IF FULL-TIME AND FOUR YEARS IF PART-TIME,
BUT THEY CAN BE REAPPOINTED AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR TERM. IN CRIMINAL MATTERS,
MAGISTRATE JUDGES MAY OVERSEE CERTAIN CASES, ISSUE SEARCH WARRANTS AND ARREST
WARRANTS, CONDUCT INITIAL HEARINGS, SET BAIL, DECIDE CERTAIN MOTIONS (SUCH AS A
MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE), AND OTHER SIMILAR ACTIONS. TYPICALLY, THE WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS AND THE WRIT OF CORAM NOBIS ARE INITIATED IN THE DISTRICT COUT. IN
CIVIL CASES, MAGISTRATES OFTEN HANDLE A VARIETY OF ISSUES SUCH AS PRE-TRIAL
MOTIONS AND DISCOVERY.

FEDERAL TRIAL COURTS HAVE ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR A FEW SUBJECT-SPECIFIC
AREAS. EACH FEDERAL DISTRICT ALSO HAS A BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THOSE PROCEEDINGS.
ADDITIONALLY, SOME COURTS HAVE NATIONWIDE JURISDICTION FOR ISSUES SUCH AS TAX
(UNITED STATES TAX COURT), CLAIMS AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (UNITED STATES
COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS), AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (UNITED STATES COURT OF
INTERNATIONAL TRADE).


CIRCUIT COURTS

ONCE THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT HAS DECIDED A CASE, THE CASE CAN BE APPEALED TO
A UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEAL. THE CIRCUIT COURT ALSO HEARS WRITS ON APPEAL. 
SO IF THE DISTRICT COURT DENIED A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS OR A WRIT OF CORAM
NOBIS, IT CAN BE PETITIONED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT.       THERE ARE TWELVE FEDERAL
CIRCUITS THAT DIVIDE THE COUNTRY INTO DIFFERENT REGIONS. THE NINTH CIRCUIT, FOR
EXAMPLE, INCLUDES THE STATES OF ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, IDAHO,
MONTANA, NEVADA, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON, ALONG WITH TERRITORIAL COURTS OF GUAM,
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS AND AMERICAN SAMOA. CASES FROM THE DISTRICT COURTS OF
THOSE STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE APPEALED TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT, WHICH IS HEADQUARTERED IN SAN FRANCISO, CALIFORNIA.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS A NATIONWIDE JURISDICTION
OVER VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES SUCH AS PATENTS.

EACH CIRCUIT COURT HAS MULTIPLE JUDGES, RANGING FROM SIX ON THE FIRST CIRCUIT TO
TWENTY-NINE ON THE NINTH CIRCUIT. CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES ARE APPOINTED FOR LIFE BY
THE PRESIDENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

ANY CASE MAY BE APPEALED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT ONCE THE DISTRICT COURT HAS
FINALIZED A DECISION (SOME ISSUES CAN BE APPEALED BEFORE A FINAL DECISION BY
MAKING AN “INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL”). APPEALS TO CIRCUIT COURTS ARE FIRST HEARD BY
A PANEL, CONSISTING OF THREE CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. PARTIES FILE “BRIEFS” TO THE
COURT, ARGUING WHY THE TRIAL COURT’S DECISION SHOULD BE “AFFIRMED” OR
“REVERSED.” AFTER THE BRIEFS ARE FILED, THE COURT WILL SCHEDULE “ORAL ARGUMENT”
IN WHICH THE LAWYERS COME BEFORE THE COURT TO MAKE THEIR ARGUMENTS AND ANSWER
THE JUDGES’ QUESTIONS.

THOUGH IT IS RARE, THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT COURT MAY CONSIDER CERTAIN APPEALS IN A
PROCESS CALLED AN “EN BANC HEARING.” (THE NINTH CIRCUIT HAS A DIFFERENT PROCESS
FOR EN BANC THAN THE REST OF THE CIRCUITS.) EN BANC OPINIONS TEND TO CARRY MORE
WEIGHT AND ARE USUALLY DECIDED ONLY AFTER A PANEL HAS FIRST HEARD THE CASE. ONCE
A PANEL HAS RULED ON AN ISSUE AND “PUBLISHED” THE OPINION, NO FUTURE PANEL CAN
OVERRULE THE PREVIOUS DECISION. THE PANEL CAN, HOWEVER, SUGGEST THAT THE CIRCUIT
TAKE UP THE CASE EN BANC TO RECONSIDER THE FIRST PANEL’S DECISION.

BEYOND THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT, A FEW COURTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH
APPEALS ON SPECIFIC SUBJECTS SUCH AS VETERANS CLAIMS (UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS) AND MILITARY MATTERS (UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR THE ARMED FORCES).


SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES IS THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE AMERICAN
JUDICIAL SYSTEM, AND HAS THE POWER TO DECIDE APPEALS ON ALL CASES BROUGHT IN
FEDERAL COURT OR THOSE BROUGHT IN STATE COURT BUT DEALING WITH FEDERAL LAW. FOR
EXAMPLE, IF A FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOM OF SPEECH CASE WAS DECIDED BY THE HIGHEST
COURT OF A STATE (USUALLY THE STATE SUPREME COURT), THE CASE COULD BE APPEALED
TO THE FEDERAL SUPREME COURT. HOWEVER, IF THAT SAME CASE WERE DECIDED ENTIRELY
ON A STATE LAW SIMILAR TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT, THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED
STATES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THE CASE.

AFTER THE CIRCUIT COURT OR STATE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED ON A CASE, EITHER PARTY
MAY CHOOSE TO APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT. UNLIKE CIRCUIT COURT APPEALS,
HOWEVER, THE SUPREME COURT IS USUALLY NOT REQUIRED TO HEAR THE APPEAL. PARTIES
MAY FILE A “WRIT OF CERTIORARI” TO THE COURT, ASKING IT TO HEAR THE CASE. IF THE
WRIT IS GRANTED, THE SUPREME COURT WILL TAKE BRIEFS AND CONDUCT ORAL ARGUMENT.
IF THE WRIT IS NOT GRANTED, THE LOWER COURT’S OPINION STANDS. CERTIORARI IS NOT
OFTEN GRANTED; LESS THAN 1% OF APPEALS TO THE HIGH COURT ARE ACTUALLY HEARD BY
IT. THE COURT TYPICALLY HEARS CASES WHEN THERE ARE CONFLICTING DECISIONS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE OR WHEN THERE IS AN EGREGIOUS ERROR IN A CASE.

THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT ARE REFERRED TO AS “JUSTICES” AND, LIKE OTHER FEDERAL
JUDGES, THEY ARE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE FOR A
LIFE TERM. THERE ARE NINE JUSTICES ON THE COURT – EIGHT ASSOCIATE JUSTICES AND
ONE CHIEF JUSTICE. THE CONSTITUTION SETS NO REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES, THOUGH ALL CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE COURT ARE LAWYERS AND MOST HAVE
SERVED AS CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. JUSTICES ARE ALSO OFTEN FORMER LAW PROFESSORS.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE ACTS AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURT AND IS CHOSEN BY THE
PRESIDENT AND APPROVED BY THE CONGRESS WHEN THE POSITION IS VACANT.

THE SUPREME COURT MEETS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THE COURT CONDUCTS ITS ANNUAL TERM
FROM THE FIRST MONDAY OF OCTOBER UNTIL EACH SUMMER, USUALLY ENDING IN LATE JUNE.


FAQ

How To Choose An Attorney


Consider the following when choosing an attorney:
Comfort Level - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information?
Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
Credentials - How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on
other cases similar to yours?
Cost - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer
estimate the cost of your case?
Appearance - Appearance isn’t everything, but people do judge a book by its
cover. Studies have shown that your attorney's appearance affects perceptions of
trustworthiness, intelligence, authority, and success. Appearance not only
includes dress - but also presentation. How well does your attorney speak? Does
the attorney have energy? Or is the attorney boring and uninteresting? How
quickly will judges and jurors tune him/her out?

Questions To Ask When Interviewing Attorneys


How long have you been in practice?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
How long can a case like mine take?
How often do you settle cases out of court?
What are your fees and costs?
What are the next steps?

The Advantages of A Smaller Law Firm


Attorneys at smaller law firms typically have more hands on experience, the
bonus of added courtroom experience and the benefit of advanced trial
experience. In addition, attorneys in a small firm practice and are more
knowledgable in a broad spectrum of law so they tend to be more innovated
through recognizing multiple legal solutions quickly. They tend to think outside
the box. The lawyer in a smaller law firm has more input in the process and
management of your case. Moreover, typically the client gets to speak to the
attorney directly. Besides the lower costs, the efficiently of a small firm is a
benefit to its clientele.

Do You Offer Free Legal Assistance?


We provide a free thirty-minute case evaluation. Even if you don't retain us
afterwards, everything we discussed during the free evaluation is protected by
attorney-client privilege.

+1 (424) 600-8584
Rachel@Wex.Law

Rachel



Legal Assistant

+1 (424) 600-8584
mike@Wex.Law

Michael



Attorney

+1 (424) 600-8584
Rachel@Wex.Law

Denise



Paralegal

06


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