Federal Criminal
Defense
MiAngel represents people facing federal prosecution and those seeking relief from severe sentences. Her work spans criminal defense, sentencing, post-conviction litigation, and executive clemency.
Each matter begins with the record, the law, and the person whose future is at stake. Her approach draws on decades of constitutional litigation and challenges to life and death sentences.
Selected Victories
United States v. S.L. — Freedom from Life Without Parole
Secured a reduction from life without parole to time served after more than 18 years in federal prison. The government conceded that the prior convictions used to trigger the mandatory life sentence did not legally support that punishment.
No. 02 CR 719-16, 2021 WL 4413320 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 27, 2021).
United States v. M.H. — Precedential Seventh Circuit Victory
Argued and won a Seventh Circuit appeal challenging the denial of a sentence reduction. The published decision held that inaccurate drug-quantity findings could not justify denying relief under retroactive crack-cocaine sentencing reforms.
582 F.3d 816 (7th Cir. 2009).
Presidential Clemency — An Individual Victory with National Impact
Secured one of President Barack Obama’s earliest commutations for a first-time drug offender serving life in prison. Lectured nationally on winning federal clemency practice and procedures.
Areas of Focus
- Federal criminal defense
- Sentencing advocacy
- Post-conviction litigation and sentence reduction
- Executive clemency
