Court-Appointed PCRA Experience
Attorney Conville has served as court-appointed criminal defense counsel in Schuylkill County, including PCRA appeals. He brings decades of post-conviction experience to every PCRA matter.
Post-conviction relief
PCRA Defense in Pennsylvania
The Post Conviction Relief Act is Pennsylvania's primary vehicle for challenging a conviction after direct appeal rights have been exhausted. If you or a loved one is serving a sentence for a crime in Pennsylvania, PCRA relief may be available. Dutko & Chwiecko Trial Attorneys handle PCRA petitions throughout the Commonwealth.
Strict Deadlines Apply
PCRA petitions must generally be filed within one year of the date a conviction becomes final. There are narrow exceptions, but time is critical. Contact us immediately.
Thorough Record Review
We review trial transcripts, prior counsel's files, and the complete record to identify every viable PCRA claim — including issues that prior counsel may have missed.
PCRA Claims We Pursue
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
If your trial or appellate attorney failed to raise a meritorious issue or made serious errors that affected your conviction, you may have a viable IAC claim under the PCRA.
Newly Discovered Evidence
Evidence that was not available at trial and that would likely have changed the outcome may support a PCRA petition. We investigate and present newly discovered evidence claims.
Illegal Sentence
A sentence that exceeds the statutory maximum or was imposed in violation of the law may be challenged at any time under the PCRA. We analyze your sentence for illegality.
Constitutional Violations
Violations of your constitutional rights that were not previously litigated may be raised in a PCRA petition. We identify and present constitutional claims preserved for PCRA review.
Exculpatory Evidence Withheld
If the prosecution withheld evidence favorable to your defense in violation of Brady v. Maryland, you may have grounds for PCRA relief. We investigate prosecutorial misconduct claims.
False Evidence Used at Trial
If the prosecution knowingly used false testimony or fabricated evidence, that may support PCRA relief. We investigate and present claims of prosecutorial misconduct.
Plea Withdrawal
If your guilty plea was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent — or if your attorney gave you incorrect advice about the consequences — you may be able to withdraw your plea through the PCRA.
PCRA Appeals
If a PCRA court denies relief, you have the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. We handle PCRA appeals and pursue every available avenue for relief.
PCRA Practice Requires Specialized Knowledge
The PCRA has strict procedural requirements that can bar relief if not followed precisely. The one-year filing deadline has only three narrow exceptions, and courts enforce these rules strictly. An attorney who does not regularly handle PCRA matters may miss critical deadlines or procedural requirements.
Attorney Conville has served as court-appointed PCRA counsel in Schuylkill County for decades. He has reviewed hundreds of trial records, identified viable PCRA claims, and litigated those claims through the PCRA court and on appeal to the Superior Court.
If you or a family member is serving a sentence in Pennsylvania and believes the conviction or sentence was unjust, contact us for a confidential consultation. We will review the case, assess the available claims, and advise you honestly about the prospects for PCRA relief.
Serving an Unjust Sentence? We Can Review Your Case.
PCRA deadlines are strict and the window for relief can close permanently. Contact Dutko & Chwiecko today for a confidential review of your post-conviction options.