CRIMINAL APPEAL AND POST-CONVICTION RELIEF DIVISION

In 2000, District Attorney Coenen formed the Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief Division of the Fifth Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office, due to the increase in appeals from the trial court level. Penny Douciere heads this division. Mrs. Douciere has 18 years experience in the District Attorney’s Office and has handled many serious and complex trials and appeals. Due to her extensive trial experience, she is most capable of heading the Appeals Division.

Post-Conviction Relief cases are handled by Joe Bruyninckx. He replies to all post-conviction relief applications and writ applications on behalf of the Fifth Judicial District. Both adults and juveniles who have been convicted and sentenced to a term of incarceration, whose conviction has become final after appeal, still have the right to petition to set aside their conviction. Prisoners file petitions in both state and federal court asking to have their convictions overturned. The District Attorney’s Office handles the filing of oppositions and responses to all applications for writ of habeas corpus and all applications for post-conviction relief filed in both state and federal court and all hearings and/or appeals in regard to those.