Courts don’t always get it right. That said, if you recently received an unfavorable verdict for your criminal case, there may still be hope via the appeals process. Contact the dedicated Dallas County criminal appeal lawyers here at Iowa Defenders, PLLC today so we can fight for the justice you deserve.
Criminal Defense Lawyers: Representing Clients Seeking Criminal Appeals
Though not all verdicts may be appealed, plenty can. At Iowa Defenders, PLLC, our Dallas County criminal lawyers have extensive experience guiding clients through the appeals process in pursuit of a better verdict, and we’re prepared to put that experience to work for you as well.
Cases That May Be Appealed
In Iowa, several types of cases and specific circumstances may qualify for an appeal. Generally, an appeal is viable if there are grounds to believe that errors occurred during the trial that affected the verdict or sentencing. These grounds may include:
- Legal Errors: If the trial court made mistakes in applying the law, such as improper jury instructions or incorrect rulings on the admissibility of evidence, these errors could be grounds for an appeal.
- Insufficient Evidence: If the verdict was based on insufficient evidence, meaning that no reasonable jury could have reached the conclusion given the evidence presented, an appeal may be warranted.
- Constitutional Violations: Any violations of constitutional rights, such as the right to a fair trial or ineffective assistance of counsel, can be grounds for an appeal.
- Procedural Errors: Mistakes in the legal process, such as juror misconduct or errors in the way the trial was conducted, may also justify an appeal.
- New Evidence: If new, compelling evidence emerges that could significantly impact the outcome of the case, this can be a basis for an appeal.
The Criminal Appeals Process in Iowa
The process of appealing a criminal verdict in Iowa is complicated and document-heavy. That said, a brief outline is as follows:
- The first step is filing a Notice of Appeal with the clerk of the court that issued the original verdict. This document must be filed within 30 days of the final judgment or order.
- The trial court’s record, including transcripts of court proceedings, evidence, and other relevant documents, must be prepared and sent to the appellate court.
- Both parties submit written arguments, known as briefs, to the appellate court. The appellant’s brief outlines the errors they believe occurred during the trial, while the appellee’s brief argues why the trial court’s decision should be upheld.
- In some cases, the appellate court may schedule oral arguments, where both parties can present their case in person and answer the judges’ questions.
- The appellate court reviews the case, considering the written briefs and any oral arguments, and then issues a written decision. The court may affirm, reverse, or remand the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.
- If the appellate court’s decision is unfavorable, further appeal options may include requesting a rehearing or filing a petition for review with the Iowa Supreme Court.
Contact Our Iowa Criminal Appeal Lawyers
If you’ve received an unfavorable verdict in your initial case, our legal team stands ready to fight for your freedom. Contact the Dallas County criminal appeal lawyers here at Iowa Defenders, PLLC today so we can get started working on your case.
