Criminal Appeals Attorneys in California
For many Californians who have been convicted of a criminal offense, the prospect of a criminal appeal offers a glimmer of hope. After all, sometimes judges make incorrect rulings, prosecutors may act unethically, or jurors may not have had all the facts necessary to return a fair verdict. The appeal process can provide a second chance at justice.
When any of these things occur, the law offers those convicted of a crime a second chance at justice. In a California appeal, a higher court is asked to review specific aspects of a case for legal error. Errors are made in a number of ways during a trial and are most often unintentional. They fall under the realm of:
- Evidence used that shouldn't have been allowed to be presented
- Withholding evidence that would be advantageous to the accused
- Incorrect laws being applied to the case
- The judge may have confused the jury with his instructions concerning your case
- The sentence was inappropriate for the crime you are charged with
It is important to understand that simply not being happy with the outcome of your criminal trial is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. There must have been some key legal mistake(s) that affected the jury's decision or the sentence imposed. New evidence is not permitted in a California criminal appeal—only the record and evidence of the original trial will be considered.
Time Constraints for Filing a Notice of Appeal for Misdemeanor Cases
In Los Angeles, in order to secure a new trial and a second chance at freedom, you must file a notice of appeal within 30 days of the time of your misdemeanor judgment or order. No late applications will be accepted, so your appeal must be filed in a timely manner.
The prosecution then has ten days to correct or amend your appeals statement and file this revised statement with the trial court. Once the appeal has been certified by the trial judge, it will be sent to the Appellate Division.
You will then receive a notice that explains the time frame for your opening brief—your opportunity to explain (via your attorney) why you believe your case was unduly prejudiced. Typically, the brief must be submitted 40 days after the filing of the appeal. If the brief is not submitted within that window of time, your appeal could be summarily dismissed.
It is of utmost importance that all rules regarding your California criminal appeal are strictly adhered to. Therefore, it is equally crucial that you have a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who specializes in California appellate law by your side from start to finish. Their expertise and guidance will be a source of reassurance and support throughout the process.
The California laws that pertain to California criminal appeals are considerably different than the laws that govern criminal trials. A criminal appeal can be significantly jeopardized by time delays, mistakes, and ignorance of the laws that govern appeals. Once your attorney has filed your appeal brief, a date will be set for an oral argument.
Time Constraints for Filing a California Felony Appeal
If your crime was a felony and a federal crime, your Los Angeles felony appeal will be filed first with the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit and, ultimately, with the Supreme Court of the United States.
If your criminal felony conviction was not for a federal crime, it will be filed in the California Court of Appeal. For a California felony appeal, you have 60 days from the time of the judgment or order you are appealing.
A felony appeal is filed in the same manner as a misdemeanor appeal, including the Notice, the brief, and the oral arguments.
As a general rule, a felony appeal in the state of California can take about a year from the time the appeal is filed until a decision is rendered, although it could be longer or shorter, depending on the complexity of the case.
Once the California Court of Appeals makes a decision, either side may ask for a review from the Supreme Court of California; however, this request must be submitted within ten days of the decision.
Contact Our Defense Lawyers for Help
For an individual charged, convicted, and sentenced for a crime, knowing that they may be able to appeal gives them a second chance to achieve justice. If mistakes and errors are indeed found in the appeal, the entire case and conviction could be thrown out, leading to a reduced sentence or a new trial altogether to correct any wrong or misleading evidence given in the first trial.
If the appeal reveals mistakes and errors in the original trial, you may have the opportunity to have your sentence reduced or even secure a new trial altogether. This potential outcome can bring a sense of hope and optimism to those navigating the appeal process.
However, having an appeal lawyer who is knowledgeable in the handling of criminal appeals is invaluable to you, as the California criminal appeal process is highly specialized and complicated. Our legal staff will fight aggressively on your behalf for the most advantageous results you deserve, such as a reduced sentence or a new trial to correct any wrong or misleading evidence.
The circumstances surrounding a criminal appeal in the state of California are complex. Suppose you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the State of California. In that case, it is important to speak to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Cron, Israels & Stark as soon as possible.
Call our office or fill out our confidential contact form to begin building a solid defense against these serious charges. We can help determine if there are grounds for filing a criminal appeal. We will fight for your future.