Boulder Appeals Attorney

Too often, criminal cases do not resolve in the way that they should. The system is far from perfect, and a lot of things can go wrong along the way.

If something went wrong in your case and you were convicted of a crime, we can help. At Dolan + Zimmerman LLP, in Boulder, our  Boulder appeals attorneys are skilled litigators who know the Colorado criminal justice system inside and out. We are prepared to represent you through the appellate process.

What is an Appeal?

If your court case doesn’t end the way you think it should have, it may be possible for you to file an appeal to have a higher court look at the outcome. The higher court will review what happened to determine if there were any issues that would render the result of the case legally invalid. An appeal can end in several ways, including the following:

• The lower court’s finding – the original court – is upheld. In some circumstances, you may be able to file another appeal.
• The higher court disagrees with the lower court’s decision and changes the ruling.
• The higher court dismisses the case because the legal errors made in the lower court cannot be rectified. 
• The case is sent back to the lower court for additional proceedings. 

When Should You Appeal A Conviction Or Seek Other Post-Conviction Relief?

Maybe your Boulder defense lawyer did not communicate with you adequately. Maybe he or she did not represent you effectively. Maybe the judge made an error that deprived you of a fair trial or that otherwise made the process in your case unfair or unconstitutional.

If these or other issues occurred during your case, seeking an appeal should be your next step. Fortunately, a conviction is not the end of the road. There are a variety of remedies that are available to you if you have been unfairly convicted.

It Is Important To Act Quickly

The appeals process is subject to strict deadlines, so it is very important to seek legal guidance for an appeal as soon as possible after your conviction.

In a consultation, we can assist you in determining whether filing an appeal makes sense in your case. If it does, we will also help you understand how the appeals process works so you know what to expect.

Choose the Right Appeals Attorney

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to file an appeal, choosing the right lawyer or firm is crucial. Not all criminal lawyers fully understand the appeals process. Consider the following when you are choosing a lawyer:

Experience. When determining who to hire, make sure you choose someone with relevant experience. An experienced and successful litigator won’t necessarily lead to a good appeals lawyer. Handling appeals involves many other skills, such as research and writing. Keep in mind that all appeals are different, so it’s also important to hire someone who has experience handling your particular type of issue. 

Resources. Appellate cases often involve significant research and investigating. If you hire a lawyer or a firm without the appropriate resources, you will be at a significant disadvantage. Make sure you hire a firm with the financial resources to do whatever it takes to build a successful appeal. Additionally, it’s helpful to hire a firm that has secretaries, paralegals, and private investigators to assist them. It’s hard for one lawyer to do it all.

Past Record. When you hire an appeals attorney, you want to hire someone who has handled appeals and has done so successfully. Appellate cases are often challenging, and it isn’t realistic to expect a firm to always succeed. However, you want to make sure that the firm you hire knows what it takes to pursue a successful appeal. Ask your potential lawyer how many similar cases they’ve handled and how successful they’ve been. If the firm isn’t transparent and tries to dodge your question, this might be an indication to keep looking.  

The Appeals Process Can Be an Uphill Battle

While it’s always beneficial to have the option of appealing a decision, many people don’t realize how difficult the appeals process can be. There are very specific rules about what the appellate court is allowed to look at. It usually isn’t simply a second chance to try your case. The appellate court often defers to the decision of the lower court, especially if it’s a close call. This isn’t meant to deter you from filing an appeal. It’s simply important to understand the difficulties of the appeals process and how frustrating and time-consuming it can be at times. 

Contact a Boulder Appeals Attorney Today

If you need to hire an attorney for an appeal, it’s important to hire someone who will fight for you until the very end. If you aren’t successful with your appeal, you may be out of options. The attorneys at Dolan + Zimmerman LLP will do whatever it takes to help. When you hire us, you’re hiring a firm that cares about your case as much as we do. Call us today or send us an email to discuss your options with one of our lawyers.