Fort Worth Criminal Appeals Attorney

Lawyer Handling Criminal Appeals in Tarrant County, TX

Being convicted of a crime can be a devastating and life-changing experience. Fortunately, the legal system offers people the opportunity to challenge their convictions through the appeals process. Criminal appeals allow defendants to seek a review of their case by a higher court in order to obtain relief from an unjust conviction or sentence.

The State Criminal Appeals Process

In the United States, criminal law is primarily governed by the individual states rather than the federal government. As a result, state criminal appeals processes can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, some common procedures generally occur during state appeals.

Typically, the first step in filing a state criminal appeal is to notify both trial and appellate counsel of your intent to appeal within a certain period of time after your conviction or sentence. Your attorney will then begin reviewing your trial transcripts and other relevant documents such as motions and exhibits.

Once all of the necessary documents have been reviewed, your lawyer will draft an appellate brief outlining arguments regarding the errors that occurred during the trial or sentencing that resulted in an unfair outcome. These errors may include improper admission of evidence, improper jury instructions, ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, or misapplication of the law.

The opposing party—usually referred to as "the State" or "the People"—has the opportunity to respond with a brief that addresses each argument made by the appellant. After this exchange of briefs is complete, oral arguments may be scheduled, during which both parties will have the opportunity to present their case to the judges.

If successful at any point in this process—whether due to errors made at trial or new evidence that comes to light—you may receive various forms of relief, including a complete reversal of the conviction (resulting in an acquittal), a new trial, or a modification of the sentence.

The Federal Criminal Appeals Process

In addition to state criminal appeals, people who are convicted of federal crimes also have the right to seek relief through the federal appellate system. Although similar in some ways to state appeals, there are important differences when appealing a federal conviction.

Unlike state appeals, which tend to focus more on errors that occurred during the trial or sentencing phase, federal appellate courts typically address issues related to constitutional violations and statutory interpretation. For example, a defendant may argue that their conviction violated their Fourth Amendment rights due to an illegal search and seizure or that the law was misapplied by lower courts.

Federal criminal appeals follow a process similar to state appeals, which involves filing a notice of appeal within a certain time frame after conviction or sentencing. Appellate counsel then reviews the transcripts of the federal proceedings and other relevant documents.

During this phase, appellate attorneys may identify potential grounds for appeal, such as evidentiary errors, judicial misconduct, prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel at the trial or pretrial stage, and errors by the judge in applying the sentencing guidelines, among others.

An appellant's brief is filed outlining these arguments, while also addressing any alleged errors made throughout the trial process. The opposing party—usually referred to here as "the government"—will present its case in response to each of the appellant's arguments. Both sides may request oral arguments to present their respective cases before a panel of judges, who will then consider whether relief should be granted based on existing law and precedent before reaching a final decision.

Pursuing Criminal Appeals With Attorney Corey Young

At Pullan & Young, we can provide effective representation in criminal appeals. Attorney Corey Young has dedicated his legal career to criminal defense and appeals. With years of experience handling both state and federal appeals, he has a thorough understanding of the intricate processes involved in challenging convictions at every level. His extensive knowledge includes not only the technicalities of filing briefs and arguing cases before appellate courts, but also an intimate familiarity with precedent-setting decisions that can effectively sway judges when considering appellants' claims.

A successful criminal appeal often requires identifying errors that led to an unjust result in a trial. Corey Young excels at meticulously reviewing trial records, transcripts, exhibits, and other pertinent documents to identify potential grounds for relief. When constructing persuasive arguments on behalf of his clients, Mr. Young skillfully analyzes complex legal issues while drawing upon prior court decisions that support favorable outcomes. His goal is to obtain just results for those who place their trust in him.

Contact Our Fort Worth Criminal Appeals Attorney

When facing the complexities of a criminal appeal, it is important to have skilled legal representation on your side. Corey Young is a highly experienced appellate attorney who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to clients seeking relief from unjust convictions or sentences. Contact us today at 936-647-1540 for a free consultation. Our law firm is located in Conroe, and we provide representation in criminal cases throughout all of the state of Texas.