Louisiana Criminal Appeals Attorney

Criminal Trial Errors and Appeals

When appealing a perceived criminal trial error, it’s important to understand the nature of the mistake and the impact it made on your case’s outcome. There are many ways Louisiana’s state and/or county prosecutors and law enforcement can incorrectly approach a case. Sometimes this occurs intentionally, and it is urgent that such instances be fought and brought to the court’s attention. Whether intentional or not, mistakes that occurred during your trial should be brought to light.

Common mistakes that can harm one’s trial outcome are:

• Admission of unlawfully procured evidence from an unwarranted search and seizure
• Admission of questionable, untrustworthy, or irrelevant testimony
• Use of illegal or excessive sentencing
• Allowing other alleged crimes by the defendant to be used as evidence
• Admission of expert testimony based on unreliable science or data
• Improper or incorrect jury instructions
• Permitting the use of forced or false confessions
• Defense counsel not following defendant’s wishes

Any of these mistakes can arise during a Louisiana criminal trial and may result in a wrongful conviction. Fortunately, some of these situations can be addressed and remedied through the appeals process.

Louisiana Criminal Appeals Process

An appeal may avail the following options regarding your conviction depending on the severity of mistakes made:

• Retrial
• Reversal of your conviction
• Having your sentence vacated or modified

To have the best chance at a successful appeal, it’s critical that you hire an attorney with experience in this complex area of practice. It is also imperative to pursue your appeal without delay to mitigate any further impacts on your family and future life.

Should I Hire a Lawyer to Appeal a Conviction?

When pursuing an appeal of a conviction, it’s critical that you hire an attorney who will be by your side for the long haul. The appeals process in Louisiana can take some time, and having an experienced attorney who knows methods to help move your case through the process is vital. Some questions to ask a prospective appeals lawyer are:

• How long have you been practicing in criminal defense law?
• Have you successfully argued cases similar to my own?
• Do you have any Louisiana Supreme Court case experience?
• What about for the state appellate courts or the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit?

Cases that demand higher court attention require seasoned lawyers who can create compelling arguments on your behalf that are coherent and thorough. Appeals have deadlines that must be met, or it could cost you everything. Ensuring your lawyer can meet the expectations of the appeal process is essential to a successful outcome.