{"id":352307,"date":"2023-12-11T14:52:52","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T19:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/reversing-a-conviction.html"},"modified":"2023-12-11T14:52:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T19:52:52","slug":"reversing-a-conviction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/reversing-a-conviction.html","title":{"rendered":"Reversing a Conviction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Reversing a Conviction<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Criminal defendants generally use writs when they have no other available remedy. For example, a criminal defendant who has appealed to the highest court and lost their case may file a writ as a last resort in their criminal case.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

If the trier of fact convicts you of a crime and you believe the guilty verdict was in error, you’ll want to pursue the reversal of the conviction.<\/p>\r\n

This article covers the basics of reversing a conviction. Specifically, it overviews appeals<\/a> and writs<\/a>, two of the most common ways a higher court reverses a conviction. While this article provides general information about these processes, it’s important to remember that a successful appeal or writ depends on your case’s facts and the laws of your jurisdiction<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Reversing a Criminal Conviction: Appeals and Writs<\/h2>\r\n

A criminal defendant can challenge their conviction in several ways. Two of the most common ways to challenge a conviction are appeals and writs. A successful challenge may lead to an acquittal of their charges or the expungement<\/a> of their record.<\/p>\r\n

Appeals are available in both state and federal courts<\/a>. A criminal defendant who appeals their conviction<\/a> requests that an appellate court review the trial court’s judgment for legal errors. Depending on the facts of their case, the defendant may ask the appellate court to set aside a conviction.<\/p>\r\n

Writs, on the other hand, are sometimes called an extraordinary remedy<\/a>. Common writs include the following:<\/p>\r\n