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DANIEL M. BLAU

RELENTLESS CRIMINAL DEFENSE

RELENTLESS CRIMINAL DEFENSE

CERTIFIED SPECIALIST

Dan is a Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, a Constitutional Advocate and Criminal Defense Attorney.  His practice focuses broadly on violations of individual rights as related to the criminal process and to appellate matters specifically.

RELENTLESS DEFENSE

Experience matters in criminal defense and it matters especially in the criminal appeal process.  For more than a decade, Dan has successfully defended hundreds upon hundreds of criminal charges for clients across the state and is a successful appellate advocate.

APPELLATE SUCCESS

Dan's appellate and post-conviction advocacy has lead to the reversal of more than 20 serious felony and misdemeanor convictions on behalf of his clients saving them a combined 150 years in prison sentences. He is innovative, skillful, and meticulously prepared.

North Carolina Criminal Appeals & Criminal Defense Lawyer

State & Federal Criminal Defense

Whether you are accused of a felony or a misdemeanor, in state court, federal court, or both, Dan has the experience and skill to acquire the best outcome possible for your specific circumstance.

State & Federal Appeals

The success or failure of an appeal often hinges on the strength of legal arguments, effective writing, and oral argument an appellate lawyer makes before the appellate court. Dan is an effective and successful appellate attorney.

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Post Conviction Support

A final assault against conviction and sentencing, post-conviction relief is often the last bastion of hope for people convicted of crimes in state and federal court.

HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

Dan Blau is a North Carolina Criminal Defense and Criminal Appellate Lawyer.  He protects the rights of people accused of crimes and appeals criminal convictions to higher courts when a defendant’s rights have been abridged at trial. His practice is dedicated exclusively to the defense of criminal charges and the appeal of criminal convictions.

Over more than a decade, Dan has handled thousands of felony, misdemeanor, and criminal traffic charges in North Carolina's state and federal courts, along with dozens of state and federal appellate and post-conviction matters. He is extensively experienced with every stage of the criminal process.

Though Dan focuses a significant portion of his practice on the meticulous issues of state and federal appeals, the foundation of his law practice surrounds complex criminal defense matters, including drug offenses, sex crimes, violent crimes, firearms and weapons violations, and criminal traffic matters.

Dan knows the devastation his clients and their families carry to his door and understands the burdens they experience. He is an advocate that provides insightful strategies and can be counted on to achieve the best possible outcome for your individual and unique circumstances. He provides honest and respectful communication, clear advice, and smart strategies. He is driven to succeed for each of his clients.

A successful, veteran criminal defense and appellate lawyer, Dan has earned his reputation as a fighter and zealous advocate. Whether navigating state or federal criminal courts or eloquently and effectively presenting oral argument in appellate matters, Dan provides his clients with the best opportunity to achieve desired outcomes in their criminal cases and pursuit of appellate relief. An AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell, you can breathe easier knowing you have made the right choice of legal counsel to see you through your criminal issues from start to finish.

Call Dan today for a free and confidential consultation.

919-256-3606

SERVICES

What Does an Appellate Lawyer Do?

Appellate courts are courts of review, not triers of fact. An appellate attorney must be able to convince a panel of judges, rather than a jury, that a mistake was made at trial or sentencing by the lower court. Successfully handling criminal appeals requires:

  • superb legal reasoning
  • detailed analysis
  • in-depth knowledge of the law
  • skillfully written legal argument
  • innovative, critical thinking

The success or failure of an appeal often hinges on the strength of legal arguments, the effectiveness in writing, the innovation a lawyer uses in applying the law, and the persuasiveness of the oral argument an appellate lawyer makes before the appellate court.

In this video, Dan argues a matter before the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2018, at its historic first ever session in Asheville.  This video demonstrates the culmination of the requirements essential for a successful appeal. This appeal was successful.

THOUSANDS OF CASES | DOZENS OF APPEALS | QUALIFIED SUCCESS

Order Vacated

State v. M.M., 209 N.C. App. 466 (2011) Client was ordered to enroll in lifetime satellite-based monitoring. RESULT ON APPEAL: Order vacated due to lack of jurisdiction.

New Trial Granted

State v. T.L., 217 N.C. App. 455 (2011) Client was convicted of robbery and kidnapping and was sentenced to 71-104 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge refusing to admit important defense evidence at trial.

Convictions Vacated

State v. A.H. (2018) Client was convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of possessing weapons on educational property.   RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: All convictions vacated after statutes were ruled to be unconstitutional.

New Trial Granted

State v. S.R., 223 N.C. App. 325 (2012): Client was convicted of sex offenses and was sentenced to 307-378 months in prison.   RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge allowing improper expert testimony at trial.

Conviction Vacated

State v. K.P. (2018) Client was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: Conviction vacated due to ineffective assistance of counsel; client released with time served.

Convictions Reversed

State v. L.P., 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 1535 (2011): Client was convicted of misdemeanor larceny and sentenced to probation. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.

Convictions Reversed

State v. G.B., 217 N.C. App. 380 (2011) Client was convicted of forgery and habitual felon and was sentenced to 70-93 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.

Convictions Vacated

State v. J.D., 2017 N.C. App. LEXIS 327 (2017) Client was convicted of marijuana charge and habitual felon and was sentenced to 76-116 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions vacated due to defective search warrant.

New Hearing Ordered

State v. A.N., 778 S.E.2d 863 (2015) Client pled guilty to robbery and was placed into deportation proceedings as a result of his convictions. RESULT ON APPEAL: New hearing ordered due to former attorney misadvising client about the consequences of his guilty plea.

New Trial Granted

State v. S.C., 802 S.E.2d 531 (2017) Client was convicted of felony assault and was sentenced to 65-90 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to violation of client’s constitutional rights at trial.  (Appeal remains pending.)

Order Vacated

State v. M.M., 209 N.C. App. 466 (2011) Client was ordered to enroll in lifetime satellite-based monitoring. RESULT ON APPEAL: Order vacated due to lack of jurisdiction.

Convictions Reversed

State v. L.P., 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 1535 (2011): Client was convicted of misdemeanor larceny and sentenced to probation. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.

New Hearing Ordered

State v. A.N., 778 S.E.2d 863 (2015) Client pled guilty to robbery and was placed into deportation proceedings as a result of his convictions. RESULT ON APPEAL: New hearing ordered due to former attorney misadvising client about the consequences of his guilty plea.

New Trial Granted

State v. S.C., 802 S.E.2d 531 (2017) Client was convicted of felony assault and was sentenced to 65-90 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to violation of client’s constitutional rights at trial.  (Appeal remains pending.)

Convictions Reversed

State v. G.B., 217 N.C. App. 380 (2011) Client was convicted of forgery and habitual felon and was sentenced to 70-93 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.

New Trial Granted

State v. T.L., 217 N.C. App. 455 (2011) Client was convicted of robbery and kidnapping and was sentenced to 71-104 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge refusing to admit important defense evidence at trial.

Convictions Vacated

State v. J.D., 2017 N.C. App. LEXIS 327 (2017) Client was convicted of marijuana charge and habitual felon and was sentenced to 76-116 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions vacated due to defective search warrant.

New Trial Granted

State v. S.R., 223 N.C. App. 325 (2012): Client was convicted of sex offenses and was sentenced to 307-378 months in prison.   RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge allowing improper expert testimony at trial.

Convictions Vacated

State v. A.H. (2018) Client was convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of possessing weapons on educational property.   RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: All convictions vacated after statutes were ruled to be unconstitutional.

Conviction Vacated

State v. K.P. (2018) Client was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: Conviction vacated due to ineffective assistance of counsel; client released with time served.

Please note that these are examples of prior cases in which we have obtained a positive result for our client.  Every case is different, and we cannot guarantee a specific result in your case.

What Our Clients Say

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10.0Daniel Micah Blau