What does it mean to appeal a conviction?

Appealing a conviction means asking a higher court to review the decision of a lower court. When a case goes to court in Washington, the outcome can be a conviction or an acquittal. If the defendant, or the defendant’s lawyer, does not agree with the decision, they may file an appeal. This appeal starts with a motion, which is a request for a higher court to review the case. The defendant can then file documents outlining any legal errors committed by the lower court that should be addressed. These documents, known as briefs, need to highlight the factors that the defendant believes means they should win their appeal. If the higher court decides that there are grounds to overturn or modify the lower court’s decision, they will often make a ruling in favor of the defendant. If the defendant’s appeal is successful, their conviction may be overturned or modified, depending on the decision of the higher court. In some cases, a new trial may be ordered. In other cases, the defendant may be released from the court’s judgement. Either way, appealing a conviction can be an important tool for a defendant to use to ensure that justice is served.

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