Did Your Lawyer Let You Down? You May Still Have Options.
A criminal conviction can feel like the end of the road—but sometimes, what went wrong wasn’t the evidence or the jury. It was the person who was supposed to fight for you: your own attorney.
At Ernst Law LLC, attorney Sarah Ernst focuses on criminal appeals and post-conviction relief throughout Missouri. If your defense lawyer failed you at trial or during a guilty plea, you may be able to challenge the outcome based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
When Defense Goes Wrong
Every person charged with a crime is guaranteed the right to effective legal representation under the Sixth Amendment. But not all representation is equal. Common red flags include:
Your attorney didn’t investigate your case or interview key witnesses.
You were advised to plead guilty without understanding your rights or the consequences.
Evidence that could have helped you was ignored—or never even reviewed.
Your lawyer made no meaningful objections, filed no motions, and coasted through trial.
Mistakes happen. But when they affect the outcome of your case, the legal system gives you a second chance to make it right—if you act quickly.
The Legal Standard: Two Things You Must Prove
Missouri courts apply the U.S. Supreme Court’s test from Strickland v. Washington:
Deficient performance — Your attorney made errors no reasonable lawyer should make.
Prejudice — Those errors changed the outcome of your case.
Sarah Ernst has spent her career reviewing trial transcripts, identifying where defense went wrong, and helping clients prove both parts of this test to fight for justice.
What Sarah Can Do for You
Post-conviction work is complex. It requires a clear understanding of not just the law, but the strategy and timing behind trial errors. Sarah brings:
Years of experience in criminal defense, appeals, and PCR motions in Missouri.
A methodical review process that uncovers ineffective counsel claims others miss.
A courtroom reputation for clarity, preparation, and tenacity.
When everything’s on the line, you want someone who isn’t just familiar with Rule 24.035 or Rule 29.15—you want someone who knows how to win under them.
Deadlines Are Tight — You Have 180 Days
If you pled guilty, you typically have 180 days from the date your sentence is entered to file for relief under Rule 24.035.
If you went to trial, you usually have 180 days from the date your conviction becomes final to file for relief under Rule 29.15.
These timelines change, however, if you pursue a direct appeal first.
Miss the deadlines, and your right to challenge your conviction could be gone forever.
Your First Lawyer May Have Failed You — Sarah Ernst Won’t
Not every conviction is the end of the story. Not every defense was good enough. If your lawyer didn’t give you the defense you deserved, you need someone who can hold the system accountable.
📞 Call Ernst Law LLC or reach out through our contact form today. Sarah will personally review your case and explain your options. If ineffective assistance gives you a path forward, she’ll fight to make sure your story gets heard.
Ernst Law LLC — Built for second chances, and the people who need them.