How are appeals handled in criminal defense law?

In Washington, when it comes to criminal defense law, an appeal is a request made to a higher court that requests that a ruling or decision be reversed or modified. If a defendant was convicted or sentenced by a lower court, they can appeal the ruling or sentence to a higher court. Appeals in criminal defense law in Washington are handled by the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is made up of three divisions: Division One, Division Two, and Division Three. Depending on the jurisdiction the case originated from, the appeal is usually heard by the corresponding Division of the Court of Appeals. For example, if the lower court case was heard in King County, the appeal would be heard by the Division One Court of Appeals. Generally, when handling an appeal, the court reviews all parts of the case, including arguments, legal rulings, and evidence presented. The court will consider whether the court ruling was appropriate, if the appropriate law was applied and if the ruling was fair. If the court finds the ruling was wrong, they can reverse the ruling or modify the sentence. It is important to note that not every ruling or sentence is considered eligible for an appeal. If the court finds the ruling was correct and the sentence is fair, the ruling will stand. Additionally, there are timelines for filing an appeal, so it is important for defendants to be aware of them.

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