Being convicted of a crime in a court of law can have life-altering consequences. The consequences can extend far beyond serving a jail term. It can affect your liberties, family stability and relationships, educational and employment opportunities, and more. However, facing a criminal conviction is just the beginning of your legal battle. That’s because you can appeal the judge’s decision if you believe you received an unjust ruling in your case.
Filing an appeal allows you to request the courts to review your case and reverse the outcome. However, the appeal process can be time-consuming and complex since it involves preparing briefs and arguing before the courts to prove that the judge’s verdict was unjust or your rights during the trial were violated. You should hire the best criminal lawyers in Brisbane to help appeal your case and obtain a favourable outcome. Follow these tips to help you successfully appeal your case and obtain a ruling in your favor:
Get an Experienced Attorney
The first thing you should do immediately after receiving an unjust verdict in your case is to contact the right criminal lawyer. Contacting an attorney as soon as you’ve received an unfavorable outcome allows them ample time to review your case’s details and file an appeal with the appellate court before the deadline. Your attorney must be experienced in appeals and can successfully litigate appeals in court. Choosing an experienced attorney is crucial since appeal cases are incredibly complicated and require someone with the right tactics and who can clearly and concisely convince the court your ruling was unjust to increase your chances of winning.
Establish your Grounds for Appeal
You file an appeal only if you believe that the court’s verdict was unjust or your rights were violated during the ruling. You must have a valid reason for the appeal to increase your chances of winning. Establishing your grounds for appeal can increase your chances of getting your desired outcome when you decide to challenge the original verdict. Potential grounds for appeal include legal errors, ineffective counsel by your attorney, insufficient evidence to support the ruling, and an unfair verdict. Determining your basis for appeal can help you prove to the court that the judge got it wrong during the initial hearing of your case.
Pay Attention to the Details and Understand the Possible Outcomes
Punctuality and accuracy play a crucial part in the outcome of any court case. These details are more critical when it comes to the appellate court due to the complex nature of the appeal process. An appeal requires you to follow specific rules, and you must prepare and file various legal documents and adhere to strict deadlines. Making mistakes or errors on the appeal forms or missing deadlines could easily get your case dismissed.
You should also know the possible outcomes to expect in your appeal case. After the appellate court has reviewed your case, you can expect the judges to uphold the lower court’s verdict or rule against it, meaning you win the appeal. The appellate court may also return your case to the lower court to hold a new trial or consider any new evidence. Another outcome is the appellate court disagreeing with the lower court’s trial and sending your case back to be rectified.
Endnote
An appeal isn’t a chance to present new evidence or request a retrial but a legal proceeding challenging the original verdict of your case based on legal grounds. Following the tips above can increase your chances of winning your appeal case. Ensure that you hire the right criminal law attorney to help you navigate the complex process of your appeal case and prove to the court that you deserve a favorable sentence.