Skip to Content
Top

The Main Reasons to Appeal a Criminal Case in Massachusetts


|

There Are Several Reasons to Appeal a Criminal Case and the Lawyers at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP Can Help You Determine if It Is the Best Option for You

If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime, and feel your rights were violated during the process, then you have a reason to appeal the conviction. Do you feel you have reasons to appeal a criminal case, because you have been wrongfully convicted of a crime? If so, you need to put an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. If you are in the Worcester area, the legal counsel at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP can help you determine if you have a strong case for appellate court, and they will defend your rights relentlessly in the appeal process.

Speak with a skilled professional today who can help you make sense of the legal process. Contact the law offices of Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP today for a free consultation. You can schedule your free consultation through the online contact form, or call directly: (508) 570-3037.

Four Major Reasons to Appeal a Criminal Case

There are a variety of reasons that a defendant may choose to appeal a criminal conviction. Here is a look at the four main reasons:

A plain error or defect was made by the lower court that significantly impacts the defendant’s rights. This situation often arises when the error or defect was not brought to the court’s attention during the trial. Sometimes these errors are caught and objected to by criminal defense lawyers during the initial case. However, this is sometimes not the case. The top criminal defense appellate lawyers can use a plain error to help get a ruling or court verdict overturned.

Another reason to appeal is when there is an insufficient weight of evidence. Although this is a harder scenario to prove, top appellate lawyers may be able to utilize DNA evidence to show that evidence was disallowed, or improperly allowed into the trial. The appellate lawyer would then make the case that if the evidence was handled accordingly the first time, then a different verdict would have been the outcome.

Was there an insufficient weight of evidence during your trial, or did a plain error take place? Schedule a free consultation with our skilled criminal defense lawyers today to discuss your rights and legal options. Sign up online, or call directly: (508) 570-3037.

Another possible reason for appealing a conviction is abuse of discretion. If a judge presided over the case and made the rulings, then those rulings need to considered carefully. There are federal guidelines for sentences that prohibits judges from ruling that is “unreasonable, erroneous, or arbitrary and not supported by the facts or law in the case.” If your case falls into this category, then you have a solid reason to appeal.

The final reason to appeal a conviction is ineffective assistance of counsel. The Sixth Amendment provides the right to adequate representation and a fair trial to a defendant. This reasons must show that the actions of the defendant’s lawyer undermined the workings of the judicial process.

Hiring the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers to Help You in Appellate Court

The lawyers at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP are highly-skilled in the criminal defense process. They can protect your rights through aggressive defense strategies in both criminal court and appellate court. If you believe your rights were violated, then our lawyers can help you establish the facts needed to get a ruling overturned. Do not wait any longer to speak with trained appeals lawyers. Contact the law offices of Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP today for a free consultation: (508) 570-3037.

Categories: