Can I appeal an acquittal of criminal charges?

In the state of Virginia, the answer to whether or not an acquittal of criminal charges can be appealed is no. An acquittal is a verdict of innocence made by a court and it means that the prosecution was unsuccessful in proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An acquittal of criminal charges is a final judgement, and therefore it cannot be appealed. However, in certain cases, the prosecuting attorney can appeal the court’s decision in an effort to achieve a different outcome. This type of appeal is called a writ of certiorari and it is only applicable in cases involving constitutional criminal law. In order to be successful in filing this type of appeal, the prosecuting attorney must prove that the court’s decision violated the constitution or a fundamental principle of criminal law. In Virginia, the appeals process is highly specific, so if you have been charged with a crime and want to appeal, you will need to speak directly with a criminal defense attorney. They will be able to provide you with the best advice on the different options available to you and help you navigate the appeals process.

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Can I appeal an acquittal of criminal charges?

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