The U.S. justice system is set up to prevent citizens from being treated unfairly when faced with criminal charges. However, it’s not uncommon for errors to be made during legal proceedings. If you were found guilty of a crime but believe it was a mistake, you may be able to file an appeal. The best way to determine if this is an option is to seek counsel from a criminal defense lawyer, says Reiman Law Firm. They have successfully helped many Lincoln, NE, residents overturn unjust convictions. Below, they go over some of the most common grounds for appeals.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Goes Over Common Grounds to Appeal a Conviction

1. Ineffective Counsel

A defendant may appeal their conviction if they can show their legal representative failed to provide them with an adequate criminal defense. A new attorney must demonstrate to the court how the previous counsel’s performance was ineffective and prove it directly affected the outcome of the case.              

2. Discovery of New Evidence

A criminal defense lawyer may make the argument important evidence was overlooked, unavailable, or undiscovered at the time of the original trial. Generally, this evidence must make a significant difference in the defendant’s case when properly presented to the court.

3. Prosecutorial or Judicial Misconduct

In cases where the prosecution, law enforcement, or judge acted unlawfully during a trial, the defendant will likely be approved for an appeal. This may include behavior such as allowing the admission of false testimony, providing incorrect jury instructions, referring to evidence that was deemed inadmissible, withholding evidence, or showing bias in favor of the prosecution.

Despite receiving a guilty verdict, you shouldn’t necessarily give up on your case. If you have grounds to file an appeal, a criminal defense lawyer from Reiman Law Firm will inform you of your rights and fight aggressively to help you regain your freedom. For more than 15 years, the firm’s legal team has been dedicated to reversing wrongful convictions in a timely manner. Contact them at (402) 477-2130 to obtain legal advice about your situation, or visit their website for additional information.