Understanding Criminal Appeals: Another Chance To Defend Yourself
Appealing a conviction can be one of the most important decisions of your lifetime. It’s important to choose the right attorney for an appeal – one who is familiar with the challenging process.
If you have been convicted of any crime, and you’re wondering if you have grounds to appeal, contact us at Stevens & LaMaida PLLC today. We are a female-owned and operated defense firm in Dade City. As experienced defense attorneys, we are very familiar with all aspects of the criminal process in Florida, including appeals and post-conviction relief. We will work closely with you to ensure your rights are upheld.
When Is It A Good Idea To Appeal?
If you were convicted of a crime, and you feel that your rights were violated or that the conviction wasn’t based on the evidence, it’s worth exploring an appeal. We can review your case and give you an honest opinion of whether you have strong grounds for getting the decision overturned.
The clock is ticking, however. You only have a limited period of time to appeal. The sooner you reach out to us, the better.
What Goes Into A Strong Appeal?
Building an effective appeal starts with identifying the strongest grounds for appeal – that is, the reasons why the appellate court should overturn the conviction or the trial court’s decision. There are many possible grounds for a strong appeal, including:
- Violations of your rights at the trial court level
- Insufficient evidence to support a conviction
- Mistakes on the part of your trial lawyer (in legal terms, “ineffective assistance of counsel”)
- Errors in the judge’s application or interpretation of the law
- Misconduct on the part of the prosecutor
A strong appeal requires digging into the trial court records to find grounds for appeal. It also requires legal research and writing skills. We have these strengths. We also have the advantage of extensive trial experience, which gives us insight into how things can go wrong at trial.
Get The Guidance You Need On The Next Steps
Our nearly 20 years of combined experience makes us confident that we can guide you through the challenging appellate process. Learn more by contacting us for a free consultation. You can also call us at 352-437-5500.