APPELLATE DIVISION
The Appellate Division is responsible for all criminal and civil litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, in consultation with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. as well as handles collateral challenges to criminal convictions and sentences by federal prisoners. The Division also provides advice regarding developments in the law, and participates in the formulation of office policy. While a group of appellate specialists is relatively uncommon among United States Attorney's Offices, it allows for better responsiveness to legal trends and more effective advocacy.
In addition, the Division is responsible for the asset forfeiture program, part of a nationwide effort that is an effective tool in the fight against crime. Asset forfeiture removes property used in or derived from criminal activity, disrupting criminal organizations that would continue if only individual offenders were incarcerated. Criminal forfeiture occurs as a part of the criminal prosecution of a defendant, although there is an additional hearing for third parties to assert their interest in property charged under the Controlled Substances Act, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, as well as money laundering and obscenity statutes. Civil forfeiture is an action brought against the property itself as the defendant – no criminal charge against the owner is necessary. Administrative forfeiture permits confiscation of certain kinds of property without judicial involvement: illegally imported merchandise; a conveyance used to move or store a controlled substance; a monetary instrument; or other property worth $500,000 or less.
The Division also includes the Law Library, which manages legal research and information resources for the office. To take advantage of emerging technologies and sources of information, beneficial partnerships have been established with a wide range of libraries and other resource providers, the Librarian and online information service trainers such as Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw provide both individual and group training, as well as continuing legal education classes.
| APPEALS |
| Paul Farley, Chief |
| John M. Hutchins, AUSA |
| Michael C. Johnson, AUSA |
| James C. Murphy, AUSA |
| Martha A. Paluch, AUSA |
| Andrew A. Vogt, AUSA |
| Carmen Gibson, Paralegal |
| Malinda Stevens, Paralegal |
| Dorothy Burwell, Secretary |
| ASSET FORFEITURE |
| James S. Russell, Chief |
| Pamela Jebens, Paralegal |
| LIBRARIAN |
| Mariann Storck |