If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you may be considering an appeal. Whether doing so will result in a satisfactory outcome depends on the facts of the case. For this reason, it’s wise to consult with a criminal law attorney as soon as possible to discuss your specific situation. In the meantime, here is an introduction to the criminal appeals process in Alabama. 

Who Is Eligible to File an Appeal?

In criminal law cases, anyone who is found guilty may file an appeal. Those who have been convicted have a fairly small window for appealing the verdict, though, so it’s wise to begin the process as soon as possible. In Alabama, for example, suspects typically have 14 days to file an appeal if their case was decided in a district court and 42 days if it was decided in a circuit court.

Once you have filed the appeal, you can expect the entire process to take at least a few months. The appellate court typically takes six to nine months to resolve most cases, but there are scenarios in which the proceedings drag on for years. 

What Are the Possible Outcomes of Filing an Appeal?

Under criminal law, there are a few ways an appeal case can be resolved. If the Court of Criminal Appeals does not feel any reversible errors occurred, the sentencing will stand. In such a scenario, however, you may proceed to the Supreme Court of Alabama if you wish. And if the case involves any violations of your constitutional rights, you may take it all the way to the United States Supreme Court, if necessary. 

Another possible outcome is having the conviction reversed. This might happen if the appellate court determines some of the evidence used to convict you was inadmissible. Other common reversible errors include selecting a juror who was not impartial and excluding evidence that should have been admitted. If any of these occurred, the appellate court will order a new trial. 

If you or someone in your family is facing charges, get in touch with Angela L Walker PC Law Office. Practicing out of Foley, AL, this criminal law attorney has more than two decades of experience defending clients while protecting their rights. She has helped clients fight all kinds of charges, and she can help you, too. For strategic legal advice following an arrest or conviction, schedule an initial consultation with this defense attorney by calling (251) 970-2575 or by filling out the form on her website.