If you have been accused of a crime, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. is here to fight for your legal rights. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a New Hampshire Criminal Defense lawyer. Initial consultations are completely free and confidential.
New Hampshire & Maine Criminal Appeals Lawyer
Criminal Defense Representation
Anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offense has the legal right to formally appeal their case to a higher court. This is typically done when a convicted offender believes serious and legitimate mistakes were made during the course of their trial which negatively impacted their case, conviction or sentencing.
Examples of legitimate grounds for an appeal include:
- Improperly admitted or excluded evidence
- Unethical actions by prosecutors
- Inadequate jury instruction
- Inability to effectively confront a witness or accuser
- Inappropriate sentencing terms
- Ineffective assistance of trial counsel
When pursuing an appeal for any grounds, legal teams must establish that a legal error was made. This requires extensive review of a criminal case and of the original circumstances involved. Appeals must be filed quickly, as there are often time restrictions. In the state of New Hampshire, for example, appeals must be filed within 30 days of the sentencing date or notice of disposition, whichever is later. New Hampshire state court cases are appealed directly to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Federal cases are appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Where federal constitutional rights have been violated in either state or federal court, our criminal attorneys have pursued cases all the way to the United States Supreme Court, demonstrating our commitment to our clients and to upholding the constitutional rights we hold dear.
A reviewing court will carefully evaluate all the elements of an appeal, as well as the case made by a convicted offender. Depending on the circumstances involved, reviewing courts may affirm or reverse the case. They can also remand decisions, or send cases back to lower courts for further review. Some cases may result in appeal decisions which affirm some rulings while dismissing others.
Achieving Justice
Wrongful convictions are an unfortunate reality in the American judicial system. At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we firmly protect the rights of our clients and work aggressively on their behalf. Appeals provide an excellent opportunity for convicted offenders to challenge their cases and achieve justice. Experienced in all levels of the appellate process, our criminal law legal team has the insight and legal skills needed to handle these issues.
If you or a loved one is interested in filing an appeal or challenging their conviction through a collateral attack, such as a habeas corpus petition, there are deadlines that you must meet.
