{"id":352318,"date":"2023-10-02T13:59:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T18:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-basis-for-a-criminal-appeal.html"},"modified":"2023-10-02T13:59:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T18:59:49","slug":"the-basis-for-a-criminal-appeal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-basis-for-a-criminal-appeal.html","title":{"rendered":"The Basis for a Criminal Appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Basis for a Criminal Appeal<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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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There’s an institutional preference to uphold a trial court’s decision in the U.S. court system. Thus, for an appellate court to hear an appeal from a lower court<\/a> after final judgment, the aggrieved party must demonstrate to the appeals court that the trial court made an error. Additionally, the error must have been substantial or "material." An appeal can reach as high as the United States Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

After submitting a notice of appeal, a panel of judges at a higher court reviews your case. No jury is present, and you can’t submit new evidence or call new witnesses. The panel of appellate judges will only look at what occurred in your original trial.
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In a criminal case, appellate review can affect the overall outcome of the case and lead to:<\/p>\r\n