What is the purpose of an appeal in criminal cases?

An appeal in criminal cases is when a person convicted of a crime protests the conviction or sentence. An appeal is a legal process that allows the defendant to request a higher court to review the matter and decide if a mistake was made at the trial court level. In Florida, appeals are heard by the Florida District Courts of Appeal. The primary purpose of the appeal is to determine if any errors were made during the original trial. The appellate court may reverse the decision of the lower court, or remand the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. The appellate court may only consider issues that were raised in the lower court. For instance, if evidence was not presented in the lower court, the appellate court cannot consider that issue. Generally, the appellate court will not consider new evidence or determine the factual issues of the case. In addition to considering legal errors, the appellate court may review the sentence to make sure it is appropriate. If the sentence is considered excessive, the appellate court may reduce it. Overall, the purpose of the appeal is to ensure that the defendant receives a fair trial and that any errors in the lower court are corrected. The appellate court’s role is to ensure that the court’s decisions are based on the law and that the rights of the defendant are respected.

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What is the purpose of an appeal in criminal cases?

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