Appeals

Eastern Washington Appellate Court Lawyer

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If you are dissatisfied with the result of your case, you may want to appeal. Cases from superior courts in the state of Washington may be appealed to the Washington Court of Appeals. Discretionary reviews may be sought in the state supreme court of appeals. Similarly, federal cases may be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and certiorari petitions may be applied for in the United States Supreme Court.

I Can Handle Your Appeal Even If I Didn't Handle Your Original Case

The Law Offices of Gerald R. Smith can handle your appeal whether it is state or federal, civil or criminal. I am appellate court attorney Gerald Smith. I have successfully handled many “cold record appeals,” i.e., appeals in which I was not the trial attorney. Contact my appellate law offices in Spokane if you are not satisfied with the result of your case and you believe that result was due to errors by the trial judge.

Appeal Laws Are In Place to Protect Your Rights

If you have lost a lawsuit, don't give up. Many types of trial errors can form the basis for an appeal. An erroneous denial or grant of a pretrial motion, errors in ruling evidence admissible or inadmissible, inadequate jury instructions, insufficient evidence to support the verdict, and errors in the final judgment are just a few of the claims that may be addressed on appeal.

The Criminal Appeal Process Is Unique

In criminal cases, once the direct appeal is resolved, post conviction relief may be available. Post conviction relief is a form of habeas corpus. In state criminal cases, this is through a personal restraint petition, while in federal cases a section 2255 motion may be filed. Generally, for these procedures to succeed, there must have been some violation of a constitutional right. Ineffective assistance of counsel is perhaps the most common claim in post conviction relief cases.

Hire an experienced appeals attorney for appellate court representation

Contact the appellate Law Offices of Gerald R. Smith in Spokane, Washington, for a free consultation to discuss your appeals case.