Experienced Appeals Attorney
A conviction does not necessarily end the legal process. In some cases, the trial court may have made legal errors that affected the outcome, the sentence imposed, or the fairness of the proceedings. An appeal gives a higher court the opportunity to review those issues—but it is not a second trial or an opportunity to present new evidence.
At Odefey, Witte, Wall & Villafranca, LLP, Attorney Jordan G. Fries helps individuals seeking appellate review of criminal convictions and other appealable rulings. Jordan begins by examining the trial record to determine whether legal errors occurred, whether those issues were properly preserved, and whether they provide a basis for appellate relief.
Not every unfavorable outcome can be appealed successfully. Appellate courts review legal issues rather than deciding whether they would have reached a different verdict.
Issues that commonly affect an appeal include:
Understanding these issues early helps determine whether an appeal is likely to present viable legal arguments.
An appeal begins after a conviction, sentence, or other appealable order has been entered by the trial court. Strict deadlines apply, making early action especially important.
A criminal appeal may begin after:
Once the appeal is initiated, the focus shifts from presenting evidence to reviewing the existing trial record and identifying legal issues for appellate review.
Unlike a trial court, an appellate court generally does not hear new testimony or consider evidence that was never presented during the original proceedings. Instead, the court reviews the existing record to determine whether reversible legal error occurred.
Depending on the issues raised, the appellate court may consider:
The question is not simply whether the trial reached the correct result, but whether the proceedings complied with the law.
An effective appeal begins with a careful review of the record rather than a reexamination of the facts alone. Jordan focuses on identifying legal errors that were preserved during trial and evaluating whether they likely affected the outcome.
Questions that often shape an appeal include:
Answering these questions helps determine which issues deserve the greatest attention in the appellate briefing.
Appeals are decided through legal analysis rather than witness testimony. As a former prosecutor, Jordan understands how trial records are created, how prosecutors preserve issues for review, and how appellate courts evaluate claims of legal error.
That perspective allows him to focus on the issues most likely to influence the appellate court rather than raising every possible argument. A well-developed appeal often depends as much on selecting the strongest issues as it does on presenting them effectively.
No. An appeal generally asks a higher court to review whether legal errors occurred during the original proceedings. It is not an opportunity to present new witnesses or additional evidence.
Criminal appeals are governed by strict filing deadlines. Missing those deadlines may prevent appellate review, making it important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
In some circumstances, yes. Whether appellate rights remain available depends on the type of plea, the issues involved, and the applicable procedural rules.
The result depends on the issues involved. An appellate court may affirm the conviction, reverse the judgment, order a new trial, modify the judgment, or return the case to the trial court for additional proceedings.
If you are considering an appeal or have recently been convicted, contact Odefey, Witte, Wall & Villafranca, LLP to schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Jordan G. Fries.
