What does it mean to appeal a conviction?

Appealing a conviction in Hawaii means asking a higher court to review the lower court’s decision. When a person is found guilty of a crime in a lower court, they can request that a higher court review the decision. This is known as an appeal. During an appeal, both sides can submit legal briefs which explain their argument and the reasons why the conviction should or should not be overturned. In Hawaii, there are two levels of appeals. The first is a direct or “interlocutory” appeal to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. If the court finds that the lower court committed legal error, a new trial may be ordered. If the court upholds the conviction, the defendant can appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court. When an appeal is made to the Hawaii Supreme Court, the court only considers the legal issues involved in the case, and not the facts of the case. This means that the court does not look at the evidence presented nor make any findings of fact; instead, they focus on the legal issues and whether or not the lower court made any mistakes in rendering its decision. The process of appealing a conviction can be complicated, but it is an important part of the criminal justice system. An appeal gives the defendant the right to challenge a lower court’s decision so that they can achieve a more just outcome.

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What does it mean to appeal a conviction?

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