Handling a criminal case properly takes an enormous amount of time, skill and effort. Weeks, months and sometimes years of work are needed to assure that the defendant’s case is properly investigated and prepared for trial. After all the preparation is complete and if negotiations with the prosecuting attorney have failed to produce an agreement, the case proceeds to trial. Trial is an excruciatingly stressful time for defendants and their families. The fate of the defendant’s life and future hangs in the balance of the jury. The harsh reality of criminal cases is perhaps most evident in the fact that most who go to trial are convicted of the crimes for which they are being tried. The defendant is led away in handcuffs and families are left reeling and wondering where to go from here.
After the conviction, all hope is not lost. The defendant can file a motion for a new trial. This motion outlines the legal “mistakes” that the defendant and his or her attorneys feel that the trial court made during the trial. The trial court may grant the defendant a new trial or deny the motion. Most often the court denies the motion. After the denial, the defendant must begin the process of filing the notice of appeal, ordering the transcript of the trial and many other tasks that must be completed timely in order to preserve the appeal. Finally, an appellate brief is drafted and filed with the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals will then review the trial courts decision.
After a conviction in a criminal court, the clock begins to tick. There are very specific time deadlines for filing post-trial motions and appeals. If these deadlines are missed, any chance of the defendant receiving post-conviction relief may be lost. If you have questions about a criminal appeal, please contact one of the experienced criminal appeals attorneys at The Roberts Law Firm.
After a conviction at trial, the defendant’s last hope lies with an appeal of that conviction. At The Roberts Law Firm we have skilled criminal defense attorneys who also handle both State and Federal criminal appeals and we are confident in our ability to give the very best representation. We have experienced lawyers who have knowledge of the law and the skill to execute a well drafted appeal.
