When you’ve been convicted of a crime in court, you have the right to appeal the court’s decision. If you choose to exercise this right, your case will then be heard in the appellate court. But to increase your chances of the appellate court reaching a different decision, you need the help of an experienced federal criminal appeals lawyer in Tampa.

With years of experience helping Floridians appeal their cases, I can help you navigate the complexities of the federal appellate courts, and help you build the strongest case to ensure you receive a fair trial. Here’s what you need to know about the federal appeals court, and how I can help.

The process

You’re likely familiar with how a trial works, but let’s be clear on how your case can end up in federal appeals court. When your case is heard in the trial court, the prosecution must prove that you committed the crime beyond reasonable doubt. During the trial, you have the right to push back on any claims against you and defend yourself from these accusations, just as your lawyer should do.

However, because the trial is supposed to be comprised of a jury of your peers, even evidence you feel is air-tight may not convince the jury of your innocence. If this is the case, you may receive a guilty decision. At this point, you have two options: accept the decision, or challenge it in the appeals court. You have every right to appeal the decision in a higher court, which means that the court will review the trial court’s verdict. This process may be repeated several times, reaching a higher court with each appeal.

Why should you appeal your decision?

This may sound obvious because no one wants to hear that the court has decided that they are guilty. However, that’s not always the simple answer. Other reasons include:

• A lack of strong evidence to receive a fair trial
• Your rights as a defendant were violated in some capacity
• An error occurring during the trial
• The judge’s and/or jury’s errors afford you the opportunity for your case to be heard in appeals court

But because it can be difficult to understand the basis for these reasons, it’s essential that you turn to an experienced federal criminal appeals lawyer in Tampa to help ensure you get the trial you deserve. I can review your case, the decision, and help you build a stronger case in appeals court to make sure your next trial presents a stronger case for a different decision.

Next steps

Once you’ve determined you want and have the grounds for an appeal, you must file for an appeal with the clerk where your original case was heard. There is a short window of time in which you can appeal, so it’s essential that we move quickly to ensure you receive your appeals trial.

A record must also be prepared, which includes all the essential information that was used in your previous case. This record most often includes the court transcript and all essential information used in both pre- and post-trial.

Get the federal criminal appeals lawyer you need in Tampa

Setting yourself up for the best defense possible is key to ensuring a sound trial. I have tried nearly 300 appeals and can help you get the trial you deserve. Reach out to me today to begin building the strongest appeals case possible.