understand your rights and fight for your future
Facing a criminal action may be one of the most challenging moments of your life. You may receive a sentence or judgment that does not reflect the person you are, or you may be feeling overwhelmed with the uncertainty of what happens next. Appeals can feel confusing and distant, often full of confusing legal terminology, tight deadlines, and questions that seem impossible to answer. Ariana’s goal is to change that.
Ariana provides strong legal advocacy, clear guidance, and consistent communication so that you know where your case stands. If you are ready to appeal your case, or just need to understand your options, Ariana is here to walk you through every step. You are not alone.
HOW ARIANA CAN HELP YOU
Challenging injustice with precision and purpose.
Ariana is here to guide you through every step, ensuring your rights are protected and your case is heard.
Whether your case involves constitutional violations, procedural mistakes, or evidentiary issues, Ariana will make sure the Court of Appeal sees what went wrong and why it matters.
Appeals are different from trials. There are no witnesses and no juries. Instead, appeals are about identifying legal mistakes made at the trial court level. Ariana presents those errors to a higher court in the form of written arguments, sometimes followed by an oral argument before a panel of judges.
Ariana’s work begins with a deep review of your trial record.
Reviewing the trial record means Ariana will examine the transcripts, filings, jury instructions, and orders from the trial court to find where your rights may have been violated. She will then research the applicable law, craft compelling written briefs, and present your story in a way that is both legally sound and humanizing.
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Felony Criminal Appeals
Challenging convictions and sentences, improper orders, or changes in the law that may impact your case. This may include:
- Insufficient or inadmissible evidence
- Judicial error during trial or sentencing
- Prosecutorial misconduct
- Violations of due process
- Issues under the California Racial Justice Act
- Inappropriate application of sentencing enhancements or strike priors
If you were convicted and sentenced in a California Superior Court, you may have the right to appeal. Ariana helps to determine which issues are appealable and crafts strategic arguments tailored to your case.
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Juvenile Delinquency Appeals
Advocating for youth involved in the justice system.
Young people often face complex legal and procedural hurdles, which can have a lifelong impact. Ariana represents youth in challenging delinquency findings, unlawful dispositions, and violations of statutory and constitutional protections.
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Writ Petitions & Habeas Corpus
Seeking extraordinary relief when an appeal is not enough.
When an issue is urgent or falls outside the scope of a direct appeal, relief may be pursued through writ relief or habeas corpus petitions.
These are powerful tools to challenge unlawful detention, newly discovered evidence, ineffective assistance of counsel, or rights violations not properly raised at trial.
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Restitution Hearings & Post-Conviction Relief
- Unfair or excessive restitution orders
- Individuals in resentencing or other post-conviction proceedings under California’s evolving sentencing reforms.
If there have been legal developments that affect your case, Ariana helps to assess whether you qualify for relief.
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Appellate Consulting for Trial Counsel
Supporting trial strategy with an appellate perspective.
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CALIFORNIA Attorney
Meet Ariana D’Agostino
Ariana is a lawyer focused solely on appeals in California. She is a passionate attorney with a commitment to civil rights and a strong foundation in appellate advocacy. She has dedicated her professional career to protecting individual rights within the criminal justice system.
During her legal education, Ariana won several nationally and internationally recognized awards, including the Richard R. Baxter Award, Hardy C. Dillard Award, and induction into the 2024 National Order of the Scribes. Ariana’s legal scholarship on juvenile justice has been published in the California Western International Law Journal.
After earning her J.D. with a concentration in Criminal Justice, Ariana joined Appellate Defenders, Inc. as a Staff Attorney before beginning her solo practice. Ariana continues to take criminal, dependency, and juvenile delinquency appellate appointments under Appellate Defenders, Inc.’s panel attorney system. Ariana is a member of the California State Bar, California Appellate Defense Counsel, and San Diego County Bar Association.
Ariana shows up for her clients. She takes on a limited number of cases so that she can give each one of her clients the time, care, and intensity that they deserve. Ariana keeps her clients informed. She speaks plainly about your options.
She never forgets that behind every case is a human being whose life has been profoundly affected by the system.
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Ready To Take Action?
If you or a loved one is considering an appeal, time is critical. In most criminal cases, you must file a notice of appeal within 60 days of judgment. If that deadline has passed, other forms of relief may still be available. Here's what to expect:
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CONTACT ARIANA
Fill out the consultation form below or call Ariana’s office at 619-629-5466
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DISCUSS YOUR APPELATE RIGHTS
Ariana will schedule a consultation with you to discuss your appeal rights, timeline, and possible issues in your case.
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CLEAR NEXT STEPS
If you decide to move forward, Ariana will send you a written agreement outlining the scope of representation, and then she will begin preparing your appeal.
Thanks for reaching out to me! I'm excited to hear from you. I will get back to you with 2-3 business days.
Cheers!
