Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C.

Home
United States
Columbia, SC
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C.

Serving clients nationwide from South Carolina in all U.S. Federal Circuit Courts. Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., is a federal criminal defense law firm specializing in federal appeals, sentencing advocacy, compassionate release, and prison consulting. is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense law firm dedicated to advocating for clients in complex federal cases. Led by experienced attorney Elizabeth Franklin-Best and federal prison expert Christopher Zoukis, we provid

e strategic representation on matters such as sentencing, appeals, 2255 petitions, compassionate release petitions, prison designation, disciplinary defense, and opportunities for early release from federal prison. Our team combines deep legal expertise with compassionate client service, ensuring each case receives personalized attention and effective advocacy at every stage of the federal criminal justice process.

05/26/2026

Yesterday, many Americans paused to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

That remembrance is worth carrying forward.

We honor their sacrifice, and we remember the families, friends, and loved ones whose lives were forever changed by it.

Their service will not be forgotten.

05/15/2026

This week’s Alex Murdaugh decision sparked conversations far beyond South Carolina.

The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the murder convictions and ordered a new trial after finding that jury interference affected the fairness of the proceedings.

Cases like this are a reminder that appeals are not simply about revisiting facts. They often focus on whether the legal process itself was fair, impartial, and consistent with constitutional protections.

Even in the most high-profile cases, issues involving jury influence and trial procedure can become central on appeal.

At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, we handle federal appellate and post-conviction matters involving complex constitutional and procedural issues in criminal cases.

05/12/2026

Two people can receive very different federal sentences even when they are charged under the same statute.

That is because federal sentencing is not based on the charge alone.

Courts also calculate advisory Guideline ranges using factors that can significantly affect the recommended sentence, including criminal history, offense conduct, role adjustments, loss amounts, firearm enhancements, acceptance of responsibility, and other guideline provisions.

In some cases, disputes over a single enhancement can change the sentencing range substantially.

That is why sentencing litigation often becomes one of the most important stages of a federal criminal case. The legal and factual issues addressed there can shape not only the sentence itself, but also the issues that may later be raised on appeal.

For individuals and families trying to understand the process, two cases that look similar on paper can unfold very differently once the Guidelines are applied.

At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, we focus on federal appellate and post-conviction representation, including complex sentencing and procedural issues in federal court.

#2255

05/01/2026

Missing a deadline can mean losing the opportunity to be heard at all.

Federal cases are governed by strict timelines, and once they pass, courts may never reach the substance of the issue.

We help individuals and families understand what options may still be available and whether anything can still be raised in time.

04/29/2026

Just because a sentence has been imposed does not always mean every part of it is beyond challenge.

In a recent Supreme Court decision, the Court rejected a rule some courts had used to extend supervised release beyond the term originally imposed.

That may sound technical, but the takeaway is not.

It is a reminder that even after sentencing, important legal questions can remain about what the government can and cannot do.

For families navigating the federal system, those questions are often hard to spot without guidance. People may assume nothing can be revisited, when in some cases there may be issues worth examining.

That is why understanding the details of a sentence, supervision, or post-conviction options can matter.

We regularly help individuals and families assess whether there may be issues worth exploring and what paths, if any, may still be available.

Sometimes the first step is simply knowing what questions to ask.

04/22/2026

What happens when circumstances change after sentencing?

Compassionate release is a legal process that allows a court to reduce a person’s sentence when there are serious, changed circumstances that were not present at the time of sentencing.

This can include situations such as severe medical conditions, advanced age, or being the only available caregiver for a close family member.

It is not a new trial, and it is not an appeal. The court is not deciding whether the original sentence was right or wrong. Instead, the question is whether it still makes sense to continue that sentence given what has changed.

For families, this often becomes an important question when circumstances shift in ways no one could have anticipated. It can be difficult to know what options exist or whether a case may qualify.

We regularly help families understand whether this may be an option and what it takes to move forward.

Even then, it is not automatic. Courts still consider factors like the nature of the offense and public safety before making a decision.

Compassionate release is limited, but in the right circumstances, it can provide a meaningful path forward.

04/15/2026

A guilty plea must be knowing and voluntary.

That standard is rarely disturbed, but when a defendant is misinformed about something as significant as sentencing exposure, courts will take a closer look.

This is a reminder that what happens at the plea stage can shape everything that follows.

04/09/2026

A sentence is not always the final word.

In a recent federal appellate decision, the court vacated a sentence after finding that key factors required by law were not properly considered. The case was sent back for resentencing.

That is what appellate review is meant to do.

It is not about retrying the case. It is about examining whether the law was applied correctly, whether the sentence reflects the seriousness of the conduct, and whether the court followed the framework it is required to use.

When those standards are not met, the outcome can change.

This is why the record matters. What is argued, what is preserved, and how issues are presented can shape what is possible on appeal.

The process can feel settled once a sentence is imposed, but in some cases, it is not. There are still legal questions that can be reviewed, and sometimes, there is still room for the court to take a second look.

03/31/2026

A lot of people believe that if a case is non-violent, prison may not be part of the outcome.

That is not always how federal cases work.

In a recent case we handled, the court looked at a large-scale financial and data-related offense. Even though the individual did not have a prior record and the case did not involve violence, the higher court made clear that sentences in these cases are also about sending a message.

When courts make these decisions, they are not only thinking about one person. They are also thinking about preventing similar situations from happening again.

This can be difficult for families to hear, especially when their loved one has otherwise lived a productive life.

But it also means that what is presented to the court matters.

Taking the time to show the full picture, who the person is, what led to the situation, and what their future could look like, can play an important role in how a case is viewed.

Understanding the process can make a challenging time feel a little less uncertain.

03/17/2026

Many people assume that once a federal sentence has been imposed, the case is completely over. In reality, that is not always the end of the process.

In certain situations, the law allows a person in federal custody to ask the court for a sentence reduction. This can happen when serious medical issues develop, when family circumstances change, or when other extraordinary situations arise after sentencing. These requests must meet strict legal standards, and the court looks closely at the original case, the person’s history, and the current circumstances before making a decision.

These types of motions are detailed and fact-specific, and they require careful review of the record and the law. In our work, we often see how important it is to understand the rules that apply after sentencing, because the options that exist are not always obvious from the outside.

For families, knowing that the process does not always end at sentencing can make a difficult situation feel a little less uncertain.

Address

3710 Landmark Drive Suite 113
Columbia, SC
29204

Telephone

+18034451333

Website

https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/, https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/elizabeth-franklin-best/269939, https:/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C.:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Law Practice in Columbia?