San Diego Criminal Appeals Attorney
Pat Ford Appeals
40+ years winning criminal appeals & post‑conviction relief across California — including before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pat Ford argued before the nation's highest court
Pat Ford Appeals
Pat Ford is a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego who represents convicted defendants on appeal in the state and federal courts. He has won various honors including Appellate Lawyer of the Year (2008 and 2015) from the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association and Appellate Defenders, Inc.
In 2014, Pat appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court alongside Stanford Professor Jeff Fisher in Riley v. California — a landmark case that expanded the privacy rights of cell phone users across the nation. He is a chapter author for CEB’s Appeals & Writs and has published the California Criminal Law Reporter since 1984, a primary research tool used by judges and lawyers statewide.
Pat Ford is one of the foremost authorities on the criminal law in the state of California. Since 1984, he has written and edited the California Criminal Law Reporter—a primary research tool used by judges and lawyers across the state.
“Pat was kind, professional and effective during a really stressful time.”
“No other lawyer would listen to me! Pat fought until we won.”
“I feel blessed that Pat Ford was my lawyer.”
“Pat fought my case for 12 years until we won. He never gave up.”
“Pat proved I was innocent.”
“He's a great lawyer and I owe him everything.”
“Patrick has a rare combination of heart and mind.”
“I'm so thankful to Pat who worked so hard for me for 16 years until I was finally released.”
Why Choose Us?
Choosing the right criminal appeals attorney in San Diego can be difficult. Having the right attorney representing you in your criminal appeal can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.
Excellent Service & Communication
We have successfully represented clients on appeal and in post-conviction proceedings. We know how devastating a criminal conviction can be for defendants and their loved ones. We provide clients with knowledgeable and competent legal representation during every stage of the appeals process.
Read more about why you should appeal your case →
Pat Ford greets Mike Hansen upon his release from Donovan State Prison following a commutation from Governor Brown.
Types of Appeals
Have you been convicted of a criminal offense in California? By hiring a skilled criminal appeals lawyer, you can file a direct appeal or petition for post-conviction relief. Pat Ford represents defendants convicted in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, and throughout Northern California.
Criminal Appeals
Direct appeals in California and federal courts for misdemeanor and felony convictions.
State Habeas Corpus
Challenge unconstitutional convictions through post-conviction state court petitions.
Federal Habeas Corpus
Petition federal courts when state remedies have been exhausted.
Post-Conviction Petitions
SB 1437, AB 2942, and other post-conviction relief petitions.
Felony Appeals
Appellate review of felony convictions from California superior courts.
Misdemeanor Appeals
Appeals of misdemeanor convictions from California superior and municipal courts.
Commutation Applications
Prepare and file commutation petitions to the Governor of California.
40+
Years of Experience
2×
Appellate Lawyer of the Year
SCOTUS
U.S. Supreme Court Advocate
CA
Statewide Representation
FAQ’s
Common questions about criminal appeals and post-conviction relief in California.
What is a criminal appeal?
A criminal appeal is a request for a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court, typically filed when the trial court did not rule in the defendant’s favor.
Read More →Does it matter if my attorney specializes in criminal appeals?
Yes — the process of overturning a conviction requires extensive experience. An attorney who specializes in appeals will know how to build the strongest case for relief.
Read More →How hard is it to win an appeal?
The burden of proof lies with the defendant, who must prove the court made a legal error that changed the outcome of the case. An experienced advocate matters enormously.
Read More →How long does the appeals process take?
A misdemeanor appeal can take months, while a felony appeal can take years. Pat Ford will advise you on the realistic timeline for your specific case from the first consultation.
Read More →Your Advocate
Meet Pat Ford
With over 40 years of experience, Pat Ford has dedicated his career to defending the rights of convicted defendants on appeal and in post-conviction proceedings. He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University (1980) and his law degree from the University of San Diego (1983).
Pat has won two “Appellate Lawyer of the Year” awards — from the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association and Appellate Defenders, Inc. He argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in Riley v. California alongside Stanford Professor Jeff Fisher in a unanimous decision that expanded digital privacy rights for all Americans. Since 1984 he has published the California Criminal Law Reporter — a primary research tool used by judges and lawyers statewide.
Full Bio & AwardsReady to Fight Your Appeal?
Call Pat Ford today for a free consultation about your case.