Facing criminal charges in the federal court system is complex. Defendants must understand their rights and options at each stage of the process.
For some individuals, a conviction and sentence come as a shock. In some cases, there are points in the case that may lead to an appeal. Knowing a bit about this part of the federal criminal justice system might be beneficial.
Specific reasons must be present
You can only appeal a federal conviction if there is a valid reason. You can’t appeal just because you didn’t feel the conviction or sentence was wrong. Ineffective counsel or incorrect application of the law are two valid reasons for appeals.
Written brief is paramount
Appeals are based solely on written briefs. How the brief is written, and the facts it contains can make or break the situation. Writing an appeal isn’t something that should be done quickly. Instead, it must be carefully crafted to show the basis of why the conviction wasn’t valid.
Oral arguments only happen sometimes
Appellate courts may ask for oral arguments in some cases. This doesn’t happen in every case, but it’s critical to be prepared for this in case it happens. Just as with written briefs, the oral arguments must focus only on the appeal without trying to introduce new information.
A federal criminal justice appeal isn’t something that can be handled without a complete understanding of the process. Working with someone familiar with this aspect of the criminal justice system can minimize the stress and ensure the appeal is dealt with appropriately.