Criminal Appeals Attorney Serving Saratoga Springs, New York

The criminal justice system can be intimidating, especially when you find yourself at the receiving end of a sentence.

Many defendants in New York state and federal courts accept their sentences without question and end up enduring harsh sentences. What many don’t realize is that when a trial results in a conviction, it’s not the end of the world. You still have the right to appeal that conviction to an appellate court.  

If you want to learn more about appeal options, contact CSG Law Firm for legal help. The firm’s criminal appeals attorney serving Saratoga Springs, New York, is committed to appealing unjust or wrongful convictions and sentences.

Attorney Clarisa Gentile, the founder of CSG Law Firm, will give you the ongoing criminal defense support and guidance you need during this challenging time. The law firm also serves clients throughout Fulton County and Schenectady, New York.  

Understanding Criminal Appeal

Contrary to popular belief, a criminal appeal is not a re-trial. A criminal appeal is a process that can be initiated by a defendant who receives an unfavorable outcome in a trial. By seeking an appeal, the defendant is asking the higher court to review the lower court’s decision.  

During this process, the higher court, also known as the appellate court, will not determine your guilt or innocence. Rather, it will determine if one or more errors were made during the legal proceedings. No new evidence will be accepted during a criminal appeal unless any exceptional circumstances warrant it.  

If your criminal appeal is successful, you may be able to have your conviction overturned or your sentence reduced.  

Grounds for a Criminal Appeal

The specific reasons to seek an appeal will vary from case to case. These reasons–often referred to as “grounds”–are usually based on a legal error or refer to errors that occurred during the trial. Common examples include:  

• The court unjustly excluded the defense’s evidence that should have been heard by the jury.  

• The court permitted the prosecution to admit evidence that should have been excluded. 

• The judge made an error when providing the jury with jury instructions. 

• The judge made a mistake when imposing a sentence. 

• The jurors or prosecution engaged in misconduct.  

When any of these grounds are present in your case, you have a right to request an appeal. Whether or not your situation aligns with any of the above-mentioned or other grounds may not always be clear-cut. A criminal appeals attorney will help determine whether the facts of your case have adequate grounds to grant the appeal.  

How Can CSG Law Firm Help?

CSG Law Firm works hard to appeal convictions in state and federal cases. Here’s a brief overview of how the law firm may help:   

1. Review your case for errors. When attorney Clarisa Gentile starts working on your case, she will conduct an in-depth review to look for legal errors in your case. During this stage, she will identify legal grounds for an appeal.  

2. Develop an argument. The criminal appeals attorney can help you draft persuasive briefs–written arguments–based on applicable court procedures and state or federal laws. These arguments, which should explain why and how the lower court made an error, will be presented before the appellate court.  

3. Prove your innocence. If you were innocent, your legal counsel will strive to prove that. CSG Law Firm will work tirelessly to prove that you are not guilty and that the legal system failed in convicting you. 

4. Reduce your penalties. If, due to the facts of your case, your conviction cannot be reversed, requesting an appeal may help reduce your penalties. Attorney Clarisa S. Gentile may be able to argue for a lessened or lighter sentence if the trial judge made a mistake when imposing penalties.  

5. Secure your freedom. While your appeal case is pending, the CSG Law Firm will present arguments for your release from jail or prison. With attorney Clarisa S. Gentile in your corner, you may be able to restore your freedom to be able to spend as much time with your family as possible.  

To learn more about how CSG Law Firm could help, schedule a free, 30-minute consultation. Attorney Clarisa S. Gentile will provide you with an honest and realistic assessment of the appeals options available in your case and discuss these options with you.  

Criminal Appeals Attorney Serving Saratoga Springs, New York

Is the verdict of your case not what you hoped for? You shouldn’t lose hope just yet, as it may be possible to appeal the verdict and get a second shot at justice. While no one can ever guarantee a favorable result when filing an appeal, attorney Clarisa S. Gentile will strive to do everything that she reasonably can to defend you.

Take your first step to justice by scheduling a free, 30-minute consultation.