Your right to a fair trial by jury depends on having impartial jurors consider your case. A big part of the pretrial process for those facing criminal charges will involve selecting a jury. Your lawyer and the prosecutor can ask prospective jury members questions...
You were charged with a serious criminal offense and the matter went before a jury trial. After both the prosecution and defense presented their arguments, the jury started their deliberations. It is up to the jury to decide upon the factual aspects of the case, while...
Most people wrongly equate an appeal to a fresh trial, given the possibility of a different verdict. However, appealing a verdict is nothing like a retrial. First, an appeal comes after a trial court or jury has already made its decision. Therefore, the legal...
Most people go to criminal appeals courts to appeal a conviction for a crime. An appeal can’t be made just because someone didn’t like the verdict. They must be able to show that the trial court made one or more serious errors that negatively affected the outcome of...
The official meaning of exculpatory evidence is “to exonerate someone of a crime or clear them of wrongdoing or blame.” If you plan to appeal a conviction, exculpatory evidence may be beneficial and help with your defense. It is often referred to as “Brady material”...
If you go to court to ask for an expungement and have it granted, you’ll be able to seal off your record from prying eyes. However, that doesn’t mean that your history totally disappears. While you will be able to block your history from the public, other entities...
If you have been convicted of securities fraud, you may feel a sense of dread and uncertainty about your future. You may wonder what this conviction means for your job, finances, and reputation. You aren't alone. Many people find themselves in this situation after...
While your attorney will do their best to fight the charges you face, there is no guarantee they will succeed. You might be angry at them if you did not win, but that alone is not sufficient grounds to appeal. You may, however, be able to appeal your case if you can...
Going to court is often a scary and overwhelming process. While you hope for the best, this may not be the outcome achieved. While an unfavorable verdict may be disappointing, it doesn’t mean you don’t have options. At this point, you can appeal the decision....
You may have been wrongly convicted of a crime, and the appeal process has been terribly slow -- or simply inadequate to right the wrongs you’ve encountered. While incarcerated, you may feel utterly powerless. You can, however, ask for help by filing a document called...