Help Spolin & Dukes Pass “Charles Walton’s Law;” A Proposal to Modify 28 U.S.C. 2244.
The criminal appeals attorneys at Spolin & Dukes have written a proposed new law. This “Charles Walton’s Law” could affect thousands of wrongfully convicted prison inmates. The law is named after one of the firm’s clients, and, if it is passed, the law would make it easier to overturn convictions in cases where the previous lawyer did poor legal work on the case.
“My client Mr. Walton, and thousands of others like him, deserve a chance to re-do their case because of the mistakes that their lawyers made. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel should not simply expire after one year.”
— Caitlin Dukes, partner at Spolin & Dukes P.C.
The Spolin & Dukes attorneys are asking people like you to write a letter in support of this draft law.
Legal Summary: If a prison inmate loses his or her appeal, they have exactly one year to file a federal writ of habeas corpus in federal court. Under current law, that one year deadline has no exception for a lawyer’s “ineffective assistance of counsel.” This new proposed law would create an exception to the one-year rule.
Download and read the full text of the proposed Charles Walton’s Law HERE.
The proposed law has also been sent to the five Congressmembers with the highest rating for criminal justice reform according progressivepunch.org Yvette Clark (NY), Bill Keating (MA), Barbara Lee (CA), Terri Sewell (AL), and Nydia Velazquez (NY).
Letters in favor of Charles Walton’s Law should be sent to the below address inside an envelope with the words “Charles Walton’s Law” written clearly on the outside of the envelope.
Spolin & Dukes P.C.
Attn: Charles Walton’s Law
11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90064
You can also advocate for this and similar criminal justice reform laws by contacting your United States Congress member or Senator. You can find your member of congress here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Please note that Spolin & Dukes P.C. partners Aaron Spolin and Caitlin Dukes are not available to offer free advice, as their time is devoted to the law firm’s current clients.