Recent Cases On Appeal
Saraliene Argues Federal Post-Conviction Appeal On Mental Health Issues
December 2022
Saraliene represented Jean-Daniel Perkins in his motion brought pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 2255. The district court hearing and subsequent Eleventh Circuit appeal focused on the trial court’s failure to hold a competency hearing prior to sentencing and on trial counsel’s failure to seek out medical records for mitigation at sentencing.
United States Supreme Court Vacates Conviction of Saraliene’s Client
June 2021
The United States Supreme Court heard the case of United States v. Van Buren in November 2020. Saraliene represented Mr. Van Buren in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and is on the brief in the Supreme Court case.
On June 3, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Mr. Van Buren's favor and vacated his conviction under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Read the opinion here.
Click here to read the petition for certiorari.
Click here to hear the oral argument in the case.
Honest Services Fraud Conviction Reversed After Saraliene Argues Appeal
October 2019
Saraliene argued United States v. Van Buren before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on July 25, 2019. After the argument, the court reversed the client's federal honest services fraud conviction and ordered a new trial.
Federal Distribution of Child Pornography Conviction Reversed On Appeal
March 2018
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals held oral argument in the case of United States v. Carroll. Saraliene argued that the government failed to make a sufficient showing at trial that her client knowingly intended to distribute child pornography. The appellate court agreed and reversed the client's conviction as to the distribution charge.
Two Consecutive Life Sentences Vacated
September 2017
Based on a motion for new trial filed by Saraliene, a Fulton County Superior Court judge vacated a client's convictions and his two consecutive life sentences. The court found that a juror with a clear bias in sexual assault cases should have been removed from the jury panel for cause before the parties began selecting the jury that would ultimately hear the case. Based on this finding, the court granted the client's request for a new trial.
Georgia Supreme Court Argument in Williams v. State
March 2017
Saraliene argued that her client should get a new trial in his murder case because his attorney provided ineffective assistance.
Motion for New Trial Granted in Henry County Case
May 2019
Saraliene's client was granted a new trial in a felony false statement case after she filed a brief explaining that the indictment in the case had been legally insufficient. The client was able to close the case immediately with a misdemeanor.
Georgia Supreme Court Argument in Gates v. State
September 2015
On September 14, 2015, Saraliene Durrett argued Gates v. State before the Georgia Supreme Court. In this appeal from a murder conviction, Saraliene argued that the State improperly admitted evidence of alleged possession of unrelated firearms by her client.
Click here for the Supreme Court video.
Not Guilty on All Counts in Fulton County
February 2014
Saraliene partnered with Elizabeth Rogan of the Rogan Law Firm and won an acquittal on all counts for a client charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Battery (Family Violence), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree, and Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer.
Contact Us
Contact us today for a free consultation. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of successfully defending your case.
Saraliene Smith Durrett, LLC
1800 Peachtree Street, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30309
ssd@defendingatl.com