When an innocent person is convicted of a crime they did not commit, it raises questions about how the justice system works. In some cases, perjury - or lying under oath in court - may be to blame for a wrongful conviction. Perjury can have serious consequences in...
New Mexico State Criminal Appeals
3 times a lawyer’s mistake can lead to a criminal appeal
When you face criminal charges, your defense attorney protects you against the allegations that could irrevocably alter the course of your life. They help you decide on the best strategy and present an effective case in criminal court. You have to trust in their...
Can you withdraw a guilty plea in a criminal case?
Deciding how you’re going to handle criminal charges is a complex undertaking. If you’re a defendant, you have to have some measure of trust in your defense team. Many of these cases work through the criminal justice system without any issues, but there are some cases...
When can you appeal a sentence for being too harsh?
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...
Should you have an appellate attorney at your trial?
When you’re charged with a serious crime that carries some stiff penalties, it’s only natural to be anxious about the outcome of your trial. You know you want the best possible defense team on your side. Should that defense team include an appellate attorney? It may...
You can appeal a conviction if you did not get a fair trial
The phrase “fair trial” is embedded in our judicial system. It’s a basic and respected cornerstone of it. But what particulars and protections does it actually involve? Can you appeal a conviction if your right to a fair trial was compromised in some way? Early in...
Can your defense attorney be the reason you appeal a conviction?
When New Mexico charges you with a criminal offense, your defense attorney is the only thing standing between you and potential incarceration. The lawyer who assists with your defense could help prove your innocence and secure your freedom, or they could make massive...
Witness testimony can lead to wrongful convictions
When bringing their case to the courts, the prosecution will rely upon numerous forms of evidence. Testimony from witnesses is among the most compelling forms of evidence they have at hand. A convincing account from witnesses at the scene can stack the odds against...
How does your defense attorney’s failure help you appeal?
When you face criminal charges in New Mexico, your defense attorney may be the only thing standing between you and incarceration. The lawyer who handles your defense has a major influence on the outcome of your trial and your ability to protect yourself. Most...
Why might Scott Peterson get a new trial?
Scott Peterson, who was convicted in 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son on Christmas Eve in 2002, is not a particularly sympathetic figure. His case was also one of the biggest ones of its time, and the entire trial played out in front of a...