People who assert their innocence while facing criminal charges have several options available. Many make an effort to defend against their charges by taking their cases to trial. Unfortunately, not everyone who tries to fight pending charges effectively exonerates themselves.
In some cases, even those who respond assertively to pending charges end up convicted. Those who did not prevail at trial may have the right to appeal an unfavorable verdict in criminal court. Could the conduct of a defense attorney influence eligibility for an appeal?
The right to representation is critical
Frequently, those appealing criminal convictions must show that their original trial was unfair or that the courts erred while interpreting the law or overseeing court procedures. Ineffective assistance of counsel or incompetent representation by a defense attorney could provide the basis for an appeal.
If a defendant can show that a lawyer lacked the knowledge necessary to adequately represent them or made a preventable and egregious error in court, they could leverage the failure of their lawyer as part of the appeals process. Those who received inaccurate information about the law or prior court rulings could claim that their lawyer did not provide them with proper guidance.
If an attorney showed up to court under the influence, missed critical meetings or made glaring errors while representing their client during the trial, their incompetence could provide the basis for claims of an unfair trial. Those who suspect that they did not receive adequate legal assistance during their initial criminal proceedings may need to review court records and details about the case with a different lawyer.
Those who insist that they did not break the law can continue fighting even after a conviction if they have grounds for an appeal. Pursuing an appeal on the basis of ineffective legal counsel could potentially help people denied justice to secure a better outcome.
