Can I appeal a criminal conviction if I have accepted a plea deal?

In Pennsylvania, the answer to the question of whether a criminal conviction can be appealed if a plea deal has been accepted is yes. While it is possible to appeal a criminal conviction, it is important to understand the differences between an appeal and a plea deal. A plea deal is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution wherein the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or a lesser sentence than what they would have received if they had gone to trial and been convicted of their original charge. These agreements require the approval of the court. An appeal, on the other hand, is a legal action that allows the defendant to challenge a conviction on the basis that their constitutional rights have been violated or that the trial was not fair. A defendant can appeal their conviction regardless of whether or not they had a plea deal during their original trial. In Pennsylvania, a certified application for allowance of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of sentencing or conviction. If the appeals court finds that the application was properly filed and the court decides to hear the appeal, the court will review any errors at trial and determine if they violated the defendant’s rights. If they find that they did, the court may reverse the conviction or the sentence, or they may send the case back to the lower court for a new trial. In conclusion, although it is possible to appeal a criminal conviction even if a plea deal was accepted, the process requires proper legal paperwork and the understanding of the court’s decision to accept or deny the appeal.

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