A man who has tried for years to take back his guilty plea in a notorious child molestation case lost a fight in federal court but won a moral victory when judges ruled that prosecutors should consider reopening their investigation into the entire matter.

The Federal Appeals Court denied Friedman's request to withdraw his guilty plea, but went on to criticize police, prosecutors and the trial judge in the 1988 case. The judges said there was "a reasonable likelihood" of a wrongful conviction.

Friedman and his father, Arnold, pleaded guilty to molesting children during computer classes in their basement in Great Neck. He has since insisted he was coerced into making the plea.

Nassau County prosecutors say the ruling is being reviewed.

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Westchester County Appellate Attorney

New York State Appeals

If you or a family member have been convicted of a crime, you have the right to file notice and appeal your criminal conviction after plea or trial. New York State Criminal Lawyer Robert Schuster has years of experience in submitting and arguing successful appeals. He has argued many of these appeals before the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court. His successful Appellate work rose to the New York State Court of Appeals, New York State's highest Court, and has been published as part of New York State Case Law.

There are numerous valid grounds for appeal of a criminal conviction. Most of these issues stem from defects in the trial proceedings or ineffective assistance of counsel. There are also motions that can be brought before the trial court introducing new evidence or issues regarding newly discovered facts or tainted evidence.

The consequences of a successful appeal are dramatic. The defendant's conviction could be reversed and vacated, and the case dismissed.