To those who have fought against a federal conviction and lost, the possibility of a successful appeal shines like a beacon of hope. Unfortunately, many who have hung their hopes on appealing a conviction lack a proper understanding of the process.
For example, not all cases are automatically eligible since you must have legal cause to appeal a federal conviction. To protect your rights and keep you informed, swap the false beliefs below for facts about appealing a conviction.
You have lots of time to appeal
Depending on your region, you have only a short time to file an appeal after a federal conviction. If you plan to do so, initiate the process as soon as possible after your trial ends.
You can appeal for any reason
The purpose of appellate courts is to right any wrongs that may have occurred during a trial. If a lower court misapplied the law during your case or made unfair decisions, you may have grounds for an appeal.
You can present new evidence
As mentioned, appellate courts only review the procedures and decisions that occurred during a federal criminal trial. As such, they do not hear any new evidence and do not retry cases.
You have no options if you lose
Losing your appeal can feel like the end of a long journey, but you may have more remedies to consider. Ask your counsel about other options, including whether it is possible to have the U.S. Supreme Court review your case.
Knowledge can be a good companion when seeking to overturn an unfair federal conviction. Consider learning more about appealing your case from a knowledgeable source.