How Can a Criminal Appeals Attorney Help You in Albuquerque?

The criminal appeals attorney Albuquerque men and women trust to represent them during an appeal is one of the most important decisions they can make. At Just Appeals, we believe that every New Mexico citizen deserves fair, honest, and reliable representation from experienced legal professionals. We are fully committed to not only serving our clients’ needs but to also educating the people of Albuquerque about the appeals process. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Appeals Attorneys in Albuquerque

Often, men and women facing stressful legal situations do not know about the options they can take to proceed according to the law or what is in their best interests. Some of these individuals may mistakenly believe that a criminal appeals firm in Albuquerque can represent them in their time of need. Here are some commonly asked questions:

• I was just arrested; can I hire an appeals attorney to fight these charges?

        - No, an appeals attorney cannot help you during your arrest or          
           incarceration.

• I need representation for my initial court appearance and trial; can an appeals attorney represent me?

        - No, appeals attorneys do not represent clients in initial court cases.

• I lost a civil suit and the judge is making me pay the other party; can an appeals attorney reverse this decision?

        - No, appeals attorneys do not seek to overturn sentences determined by  
           the judge.

• The jury ruled that I was guilty in my criminal trial, but I’m innocent; can an appeals attorney help me overturn the conviction?

        - No, appeals attorneys do not seek to prove whether an individual is 
           guilty or innocent.

How Can a Criminal Appeals Attorney Help You in Albuquerque?

A criminal appeals attorney is able to represent you in the appeals process. The law offices of Scott M. Davidson can provide counsel in the following areas:

• Pardons & Executive Clemency 
• Legal & Discretionary Expungements
• Appellate Litigation 
• Post-Conviction Petitions Habeas Corpus
• Immigration Appeals

Our legal team can review your case to determine if any material or reversible errors were made in your initial trial. If we believe errors do exist, we will provide our expert advice on how to proceed and help you through the appellate process if you decide to move forward. To learn more about how a criminal appeals attorney can help you in Albuquerque, contact Just Appeals today.

Difference between Appellate Courts and Trial Courts

If you are currently seeking out an appellate court attorney in Albuquerque, you may be wondering about the ways in which an appellate court proceeding is different from a trial court proceeding. At Just Appeals, our team believes all New Mexico residents should be informed about the different levels of trial proceedings throughout the judicial system. Unfortunately, many defendants are not aware of the differences between an appellate court and trial court prior to their appeal.

Dr. Scott M. Davidson, attorney, and owner of Just Appeals, has over two decades of experience in federal and state trial litigation. Having practiced criminal law at all levels in New Mexico, Dr. Davidson and his legal associates understand these important differences and hopes to educate all current and future New Mexico residents that may choose to file an appeal to the state or federal court system.

The Difference between Trial Court & Appellate Court in Albuquerque

Before you understand the difference between these two courts, you should know the purpose of each. A trial court is the first level judicial hearing in which a court case begins. Two sides present evidence using witnesses and exhibits to the judge and jury. An appellate court consists of a judge or group of judges that hear an appeal that has been successfully filed after the initial trial.

Within these two courts, there are three primary differences:

1.      Trial courts feature witnesses and exhibits. Appellate court proceedings do not. These proceedings only involve lawyers arguing the legal issue the case.

2.      An initial trial court will only contain a single judge, with or without a jury. In an appellate court, there is more than one judge present for the proceedings

3.      In a trial court, there may or may not be a group of jurors overhearing the case. Juries are present in jury trials, while it’s solely the judge in a bench trial. An appellate court case never has members of a jury. These proceedings only involve the final decisions made by a group of judges.

Accurate information is the foundation of a great defense. To learn more about appellate court Albuquerque proceedings, contact the Law Offices of Scott M. Davidson at Just Appeals today.

Criminal Appeals Attorney: Why is it Important?

The judicial process is full of highly trained professionals that bring order and justice to our society. These men and women defend our constitution and uphold the rights of our citizens. One of the most important members of our justice system is the criminal appeals attorney Albuquerque. These individuals perform a vital service to our citizens, particularly those who may have been unfairly impacted by court proceedings. Just Appeals is the law office of Scott M. Davidson. Our team includes criminal appeals attorneys that represent clients throughout the state and federal appeals process.

Why is a criminal appeals attorney important?

A criminal appeals attorney is a criminal defense lawyer that represents a client throughout the appeals process. This process ranges from filing an initial appeal through the final verdict. Though a criminal defense attorney may represent a client in an initial case, they may not be well-versed in the appeals process which is why a different attorney of specialized knowledge is required.

In a criminal defense trial, the court may convict and sentence a defendant. Although the guilty verdict may be final, the court case is not necessarily closed and complete. Reversible errors, which are errors that are made by the judge, jury or presenter, may have been made in the initial case which has negatively altered your verdict. In these instances, a criminal appeals attorney becomes your most important ally. 

The criminal appeals attorney Albuquerque and federal appeals require will evaluate the potential errors of your case and determine whether or not they have indeed impacted your verdict. If they have, the attorney will file an appeal. If accepted, the criminal appeals attorney will present your case to the appellate courts and fight to restore justice. 

A criminal appeals attorney is important because they fight for your right until the very end. If you believe your guilty verdict was influenced by the presence of reversible errors in your court case, call Just Appeals. Scott M. Davidson and his team will represent you as you appeal your case to the New Mexico Supreme Court. The Just Appeals has the criminal appeals attorney Albuquerque defendants deserve.

Considerations to Make Prior to Choosing a Criminal Attorney

Before choosing a criminal appeals attorney, Albuquerque residents should know that each attorney is as unique as each criminal case. Although many of these criminal appeals attorneys may be qualified to present your case before an appellate court, not all of these individuals will be able to represent you in the most effective manner. Prior to seeking legal representation, the legal team at Just Appeals encourages you to consider the following recommendations as you research criminal appeals attorneys in New Mexico. 

1: Only contact attorneys specializing in criminal appeals.

The legal system is a vast industry containing a multitude of specialty sectors. If you are seeking a criminal appeals attorney, you only want to speak with firms that specialize in criminal appeals. It is highly unlikely that you will receive better representation from a firm specializing in civil law, medical malpractice or insurance dispute cases than you will at Just Appeals. 

2: Verify the experience and reputation of the attorney who may try your case.

Even though an individual may be qualified to represent criminal appeal cases, this does not automatically guarantee that they are successful in their efforts. As you research representation, first, seek out trial professionals who are highly regarded in their field. Verify that they were educated at reputable institutions and their reputation within the community is positive.

3: Research the legal team that assists these attorneys.

No successful attorney is without a dynamic legal team. Often, these teams are significant contributors to the success of a case. Do your due diligence and learn as much about the legal team as possible to discover how well your attorney will be supported as they navigate your appeal.

4: Avoid attorneys who guarantee results.

No attorney can guarantee a successful trial. Do not enlist the help of a legal professional who is overconfident. Your appeal is one of the most important moments in your life — make sure you have an attorney on your side who regards it with the same importance. 

Remember to take your time and choose your trial professional carefully. To learn more about the appeals process, and how to find a reliable criminal appeals attorney that Albuquerque residents trust, contact Just Appeals.