If the trier of fact convicts you of a crime and you believe the guilty verdict was in error, you'll want to pursue the reversal of the conviction.
This article covers the basics of reversing a conviction. Specifically, it overviews appeals and writs, two of the most common ways a higher court reverses a conviction. While this article provides general information about these processes, it's important to remember that a successful appeal or writ depends on your case's facts and the laws of your jurisdiction.
Reversing a Criminal Conviction: Appeals and Writs
A criminal defendant can challenge their conviction in several ways. Two of the most common ways to challenge a conviction are appeals and writs. A successful challenge may lead to an acquittal of their charges or the expungement of their record.
Appeals are available in both state and federal courts. A criminal defendant who appeals their conviction requests that an appellate court review the trial court's judgment for legal errors. Depending on the facts of their case, the defendant may ask the appellate court to set aside a conviction.
Writs, on the other hand, are sometimes called an extraordinary remedy. Common writs include the following:
Criminal defendants generally use writs when they have no other available remedy. For example, a criminal defendant who has appealed to the highest court and lost their case may file a writ as a last resort in their criminal case.
Appeals Process Overview
In criminal law, the defendant has a constitutional right to a direct appeal to a higher court following a conviction. This means the defendant may request a higher court, like a circuit court or the U.S. Supreme Court, to review the lower court's judgment.
An appeal is not a new trial, and the appellate court does not retry a case on appeal. Instead, the higher court reviews a transcript of the lower court's trial and hears legal arguments from the defendant about why they believe the lower court made legal errors in their criminal case.
Courts rarely overturn lower court decisions. The Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant a fair trial, but it does not guarantee a "perfect" trial. Instead, the Constitution provides certain safeguards to defendants that account for errors and oversights.
Legal Errors: The Basis of an Appeal
If a criminal defendant believes the trial court made errors in handling the case, they may file a notice of appeal. The notice of appeal begins the appeals process.
A criminal defendant cannot appeal simply because they disagreed with the case's outcome. A criminal defendant must base their appeal on an alleged legal error. For example, the defendant may appeal the following types of legal errors:
- The judge gave the jurors improper jury instructions
- There was insufficient evidence to arrest the defendant
- Their trial lawyer provided ineffective assistance of counsel during the case
An appellate court will overturn a guilty verdict only if the trial court erred in a way that significantly affected the case's outcome. The court of appeals generally defers to the trial court findings, particularly regarding findings of fact.
Remands and Reversals
If the appellate court decides to consider the appeal, it reviews the trial court's judgment. Then, it will either affirm, reverse, or remand the judgment.
If the appellate court affirms the judgment, the trial court's judgment stands. If it reverses the judgment, it sets aside the judgment. The appellate court may also remand the judgment on a specific issue, requiring the trial court to reconsider some aspect of the case based on the court's instructions.
For example, suppose the police obtained a search warrant to search your property. The search warrant restricted law enforcement to a search of your basement only. Suppose that the police illegally expanded the search to your entire home, and they found incriminating evidence in your attic. Law enforcement arrests you, and a jury ultimately convicts you of a crime. In such a case, you could appeal because law enforcement obtained the evidence illegally, and the trial court erred by not excluding it from trial.
Using the example above, prosecutors may still be able to obtain a guilty verdict without the illegally obtained evidence. It's important to understand that criminal appeals must focus on the case's specifics and not necessarily the outcome.
Some errors at the trial court level are considered harmless. A harmless error does not substantially affect the result of a case. Appellate courts may identify harmless errors and decide to affirm the trial court's judgment.
Of course, some errors warrant a reversal, such as the use of a coerced confession. Appellate courts rarely interfere with a lower court's sentences handed down. But in some cases where the law specifies a particular sentence, the appellate court may send the case back for resentencing if the court gets it wrong.
Two reasonable juries can reach different verdicts on the same set of facts. One jury may convict a person while another may acquit them, but unless something goes wrong at the trial level, you cannot appeal a case simply because you believe the jury reached the wrong verdict. Instead, you must show the error was serious or manifest and likely change the case's outcome.
Reversing a Conviction Through Writs
If you have exhausted all your remedies through appeals but still believe the case was unjust or the court made a mistake, you may look into filing a writ. A writ is an order from a higher court directing a lower court to take some kind of action. A defendant typically files a writ in extraordinary situations where an appeal is not an option. While the trial court may not have erred, you may file a writ if some other injustice or error affected the verdict.
For example, a defendant whose attorney failed to consider a defense that may have changed the case's outcome may petition the higher court to issue a writ. Some writs allow defendants to introduce new evidence discovered post-conviction. Alternatively, they may introduce evidence, such as DNA profiling, if it tends to change the facts of their case.
Learn More About Reversing a Conviction by Speaking to a Lawyer
A convicted criminal has options regarding post-conviction relief. However, appellate procedure and filing writs are complex. Consider contacting a criminal defense attorney to discuss your case and determine if reversing your conviction is possible. An experienced defense lawyer or appeals lawyer can provide legal advice regarding the following:
- Whether to request oral argument for your appeal
- Whether you should file a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the circumstances of your confinement
- Defense and litigation strategy for your federal or state court criminal case
- The legal consequences of entering a guilty plea
If the government has charged you with a crime, consider contacting a criminal defense attorney near you.
Ikiwa mtihani wa ukweli unakuhukumu kwa uhalifu na unaamini hukumu ya hatia ilikuwa na makosa, utahitaji kutafuta kubadilisha hukumu hiyo. Makala hii inazungumzia mambo ya msingi ya kubadili hukumu ya hatia. Hasa, inachunguza rufaa na maandishi, njia mbili za kawaida ambazo mahakama ya juu hubadilisha hukumu. Ingawa makala hii hutoa habari ya jumla kuhusu taratibu hizi, ni muhimu kukumbuka kwamba rufaa ya mafanikio inategemea ukweli wa kesi yako na sheria za mamlaka yako. Kurekebisha hukumu ya jinai: Maombi na Maombi Mshtakiwa wa jinai anaweza kupinga hukumu yake kwa njia kadhaa. Njia mbili za kawaida za kupinga hukumu ya hatia ni rufani na hati za kukata rufani. Kutofautishwa kwa mafanikio kunaweza kusababisha kuondolewa kwa mashtaka yao au kuondolewa kwa rekodi yao. Maombi yanapatikana katika mahakama za serikali na za shirikisho. Mshtakiwa wa jinai ambaye anapinga hukumu yake anaomba kwamba mahakama ya rufaa ichunguze uamuzi wa mahakama ya kwanza kwa makosa ya kisheria. Kulingana na mambo ya hakika ya kesi yao, mshtakiwa aweza kuomba mahakama ya rufani iondoe hukumu ya hatia. Kwa upande mwingine, nyakati nyingine maandishi huitwa tiba ya pekee. Maagizo ya kawaida ni pamoja na yafuatayo: Washtakiwa wa jinai kwa ujumla hutumia maagizo wakati hawana suluhisho lingine linalopatikana. Kwa mfano, mshtakiwa wa jinai ambaye amepiga rufani kwa mahakama ya juu na kupoteza kesi yao anaweza kuwasilisha hati kama njia ya mwisho katika kesi yao ya jinai. Katika sheria ya jinai, mshtakiwa ana haki ya kikatiba ya kukata rufaa moja kwa moja kwa mahakama ya juu baada ya hukumu ya hatia. Hii inamaanisha kwamba mshtakiwa anaweza kuomba mahakama ya juu, kama vile mahakama ya mzunguko au Mahakama Kuu ya Marekani, kukagua uamuzi wa mahakama ya chini. Kesi ya rufaa si kesi mpya, na mahakama ya rufaa haisomi tena kesi ya rufaa. Mahakama ya juu huangalia maandishi ya kesi ya mahakama ya chini na kusikia hoja za kisheria kutoka kwa mshtakiwa kuhusu kwa nini wanaamini mahakama ya chini ilifanya makosa ya kisheria katika kesi yao ya jinai. Ni mara chache sana mahakama zinapinga maamuzi ya mahakama za chini. Katiba humwahakikishia mshtakiwa wa uhalifu kesi ya haki, lakini haihakikishi kesi "sawa". Badala yake, Katiba hutoa ulinzi fulani kwa washtakiwa ambao wanahesabu makosa na makosa. "Kama mtu anayeshtakiwa anaamini kwamba mahakama ya kwanza ilifanya makosa katika kushughulikia kesi hiyo, anaweza kuwasilisha taarifa ya kukata rufaa.""" Taarifa ya rufaa huanza mchakato wa rufaa. Mshtakiwa wa uhalifu hawezi kukata rufani kwa sababu tu hawakukubaliana na matokeo ya kesi hiyo. Mshtakiwa wa uhalifu lazima aanzishe rufaa yake juu ya kosa la kisheria linalodaiwa. Kwa mfano, mshtakiwa anaweza kukata rufaa kwa aina zifuatazo za makosa ya kisheria: Hakimu aliwapa majaji maagizo yasiyofaa ya majaji, hakukuwa na ushahidi wa kutosha kumkamata mshtakiwa, mwanasheria wao wa kesi alitoa msaada usiofaa wa wakili wakati wa kesi, mahakama ya rufaa itabadilisha uamuzi wa hatia ikiwa tu mahakama ya kesi ilikosea kwa njia ambayo iliathiri matokeo ya kesi. Mahakama ya rufaa kwa ujumla inarejelea matokeo ya mahakama ya kwanza, hasa kuhusu matokeo ya ukweli. Mahakama ya rufaa inapochagua kukabiliana na rufaa, inachunguza uamuzi wa mahakama ya kwanza. Kisha, itathibitisha, kubadili, au kurudisha hukumu hiyo. Ikiwa mahakama ya rufaa inathibitisha uamuzi huo, uamuzi wa mahakama ya kwanza unashikilia. Ikiwa inabadilisha hukumu, inaacha hukumu hiyo kando. Mahakama ya rufaa pia inaweza kurudisha hukumu juu ya suala maalum, ikitaka mahakama ya kwanza ichunguze tena sehemu fulani ya kesi kulingana na maagizo ya mahakama. Kwa mfano, tuseme polisi walipata kibali cha kukagua nyumba yako. Amri ya kutafiti ilizuia utekelezaji wa sheria kufanya utafutaji katika chumba chako cha chini ya ardhi tu. Kwa mfano, fikiria polisi wakichunguza nyumba yako yote na kupata ushahidi unaohusika. Polisi wanakukamata, na hatimaye baraza la mahakama linakuhukumu kwa uhalifu. Katika kesi kama hiyo, unaweza kukata rufaa kwa sababu utekelezaji wa sheria ulipata ushahidi huo kinyume cha sheria, na mahakama ya kwanza ilikosea kwa kutouondoa katika kesi. Kwa kutumia mfano uliotajwa hapo juu, waendesha mashtaka wanaweza bado kupata uamuzi wa hatia bila ushahidi uliopatikana kinyume cha sheria. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba rufaa za jinai lazima zizingatie mambo hususa ya kesi na si lazima matokeo. Makosa fulani katika mahakama ya kwanza huonwa kuwa yasiyo na madhara. Kosa lisilo na madhara halina athari kubwa kwa matokeo ya kesi. Mahakama za rufaa zaweza kutambua makosa yasiyo na madhara na kuamua kuthibitisha uamuzi wa mahakama ya kwanza. Bila shaka, makosa fulani yanahitaji kubadilishwa, kama vile kutumiwa kwa kukata tamaa. Ni mara chache sana mahakama za rufani huingilia kati na hukumu za mahakama za chini. Katika kesi nyingine, ikiwa sheria inatoa hukumu maalum, mahakama ya rufaa inaweza kurudisha kesi hiyo kwa ajili ya hukumu mpya ikiwa mahakama imekosea. Mahakama mbili zenye busara zaweza kufikia hukumu tofauti juu ya mambo yaleyale. Jury moja inaweza kumhukumu mtu wakati mwingine anaweza kumwachilia, lakini isipokuwa kitu kinakwenda vibaya katika kiwango cha kesi, huwezi kukata rufaa kesi kwa sababu tu unaamini jury ilifikia uamuzi mbaya. Badala yake, lazima uonyeshe kwamba kosa hilo lilikuwa zito au wazi na uwezekano wa kubadilisha matokeo ya kesi hiyo. Ikiwa umechukua njia zote za kukata rufaa lakini bado unaamini kesi hiyo haikuwa ya haki au mahakama ilifanya kosa, unaweza kuangalia kuwasilisha hati. Barua ya mahakama ni amri kutoka kwa mahakama ya juu inayoelekeza mahakama ya chini kuchukua hatua fulani. Mshtakiwa kwa kawaida anatoa hati katika hali za ajabu ambapo rufaa si chaguo. Ingawa huenda mahakama ya kwanza haikukosea, unaweza kuwasilisha hati ikiwa ukosefu mwingine wa haki au kosa lilihusika katika uamuzi. Kwa mfano, mshtakiwa ambaye mwanasheria wake alishindwa kufikiria utetezi ambao huenda ulibadili matokeo ya kesi hiyo anaweza kuomba mahakama ya juu itolewe hati. Baadhi ya hati huruhusu washtakiwa kuanzisha ushahidi mpya kupatikana baada ya hukumu. Kwa upande mwingine, wanaweza kuanzisha ushahidi, kama vile DNA profiling, ikiwa inaelekea kubadilisha ukweli wa kesi yao. Jifunze Zaidi Kuhusu Kubadili Hukumu Kwa Kuzungumza na Mwanasheria Jinai aliyehukumiwa ana chaguzi kuhusu misaada baada ya kuhukumiwa. Hata hivyo, utaratibu wa rufaa na hati za kufungua ni tata. Fikiria kuwasiliana na mwanasheria wa ulinzi wa jinai ili kuzungumzia kesi yako na kuamua kama kufuta hukumu yako inawezekana. Mwalimu wa kesi ya mahakama ya jimbo au ya serikali anaweza kutoa ushauri wa kisheria kuhusu: - Ikiwa unahitaji kuomba hoja ya mdomo kwa ajili ya rufaa yako - Ikiwa unapaswa kuwasilisha hati ya habeas corpus kupinga hali ya kifungo chako - Mkakati wa ulinzi na kesi kwa kesi yako ya jinai ya mahakama ya shirikisho au ya serikali - Matokeo ya kisheria ya kuingia kwa rufaa ya hatia - Ikiwa serikali imekushtaki kwa uhalifu, fikiria kuwasiliana na wakili wa jinai karibu nawe.