When an individual faces a criminal conviction, the legal battle is far from over. The process of appealing a criminal conviction is complex and demanding, requiring careful consideration of several key elements. 1. Grounds for appeal The foundation of any criminal...
Appeals
Can I appeal my parental rights termination?
Having your child was likely life changing, and losing your kids was equally as impactful. And, if your parental rights were terminated in Maryland, you likely want to know whether you can appeal that decision. Generally, the answer is yes, but you must do so within...
The Right to Fair and Impartial Judges on Appeal: Belton
Last week, the Supreme Court of Maryland issued the much-anticipated decision concerning appellate impartiality in Belton v. State, No. 8, September Term 2022. Who knew that, when this case was appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland on a single, straightforward...
Boundless at the Trial Level, Toothless on Appeal: Maryland’s Law on Sentencing.
A few weeks ago, our Editor-in-Chief, Steve Klepper, wrote a piece entitled “Mental Illness and Maryland’s Toothless Review of Criminal Sentences” regarding the unreported decision, Robbins v. State. In Robbins (Nazarian, J.), the Court lamented, in dicta, about the...
Reasons to pursue an appeal after your criminal conviction
After receiving a criminal conviction in Maryland, you may have the option to pursue an appeal. An appeal provides an opportunity to challenge the outcome of your case based on legal grounds. This article examines various reasons why individuals may choose to seek an...
Police, prosecutors and custodial informants
If you have a basic familiarity with the criminal justice system, you are probably aware that police and prosecutors both tend to represent the interests of the state. Their jobs are essentially to be the enforcers of the law and the adversaries of those who would...
How does the federal appeals process work?
Most of the time, when a defendant loses a federal criminal case, that person can appeal the decision to the Federal Court of Appeals. Cases then proceed through the appeals process until the court reaches a final decision. How does the federal appeals process work?...
Things to know about criminal conviction appeals
After your conviction, you might consider an appeal to overturn the conviction. Although most people are familiar with appeals as an option, many are ill-prepared for the process. Inadequate preparation can leave you with an unsuccessful appeal. Understanding the...
When does a conflict of interest justify an appeal?
For you to count on a fair legal system, judges, jurors and lawyers must be able to handle their duties without undue bias. If any of these participants have a personal stake in your case that could call their objectivity into question, their service might be an...
Can I appeal my criminal conviction?
After you receive your sentence for a criminal conviction, you may have the right to appeal your case to a higher court. An appeal allows you to ask the other court to review your case for accuracy. On appeal, you may receive the chance of a new trial. It is important...