Criminal Appeals Lawyer

Trevena, Pontrello and Associates
Criminal Appeals Lawyer in Pinellas County Florida


Trevena, Pontrello and Associates, are criminal appeals attorneys in Pinellas County Florida who may be able to assist you with the appeals process if you have been convicted of a crime. If you have been found guilty in court, you may still have the option to appeal your case with a higher court. Appealing your conviction doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get a new trial, but means that your lawyer will have a chance to take the case to a higher court, asking the higher court to determine whether there were any errors made by the judge, the jury, or by other officials during the course of the trial. Sometimes criminal defense lawyers who handle criminal cases are skilled with the appeals process, but not always. If you have been convicted of a crime and are wondering what your next steps might be and whether you have the option to appeal, you may want to speak to a lawyer in Pinellas County Florida who understands the appeals process. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are criminal appeals lawyers in Pinellas County Florida who may be able to assist you.

Understanding the Criminal Appeals Process in Florida


The appeals process is not a new trial. Rather, it allows you to have your case reviewed by a higher court to determine whether any errors were made in your case during your trial. Unlike a criminal trial, an appeals case often involves a review of court transcripts and court procedure.

During the appeals process, you are generally not allowed to bring forth new witnesses and generally you are not permitted to bring forth new evidence, unless you can show that errors in your trial resulted in the wrongful suppression of important evidence. Essentially, the higher court will review the decision the lower court made and see if there were any mistakes. What are some kinds of mistakes that might arise during a criminal trial?

There are many kinds of procedural errors that can take place during a trial’s unfolding. For example, if your lawyer asked that certain evidence be suppressed because it was illegally obtained, but the judge allowed the evidence to be presented in court, you could potentially appeal the case. For example, if police searched your car or property without a warrant and then tried to use the evidence in court, and this was permitted, you may be able to show that this was an error made by the court. Another situation where you may appeal a case is if you believed that the jury was biased against you, either because a juror knew you or because you can show evidence of juror bias. Another example where an appeal might be made successfully (and where potentially new evidence might be permitted to be brought forth) is if new DNA evidence is discovered that could potentially exonerate you. In some cases, you might be able to seek an appeal on the basis that there was a biased jury or judge. These are just some of the situations where you might be able to appeal a case. There are also strict procedural and sentencing rules that courts must follow. If they violate these rules, your case might be able to win a successful appeal.

If you have been convicted of a crime, you might be wondering whether you should appeal your conviction. This will depend on many factors. But before you accept your sentence and conviction, you may want to speak to a criminal appeals lawyer in Pinellas County Florida, like Trevena, Pontrello and Associates to learn more about your options. Our criminal appeals law firm can review your case, review the trial, and determine whether the appeals process might be right for you.

How to File an Appeal


Generally, your lawyer will need to file your appeal before the appeal deadline. Sometimes criminal defense attorneys are skilled at taking cases to appeals court, but some lawyers only specialize in criminal defense and may not have the same experience with higher courts. Before filing an appeal, you may want to speak to your lawyer, and may also want to consider hiring a lawyer who understands the appeals process, specifically, because the appeals process differs from a criminal case. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates is a criminal appeals law firm in Pinellas County Florida who may be able to assist you.

What Happens if a Criminal Appeal is Successful in Florida?


Several things can happen if an appeal is successful in Florida. In some cases, you might be granted a new trial or be given the option of a plea deal. If there was an error with your sentencing, you may be given a new hearing for sentencing. In some instances, individuals who win their appeals may even be released from jail.

The criminal appeals process is quite different than the trial process for a criminal case. It is important to have a lawyer on your side who understands the appeals process. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are criminal appeals attorneys in Pinellas County Florida who work closely with individuals who have been convicted of crimes. Our criminal appeals law firm can review your case and determine whether the appeals process is right for your case.