State-Level Appeals

Most criminal defendants focus on winning at trial, and seldom consider the need for an appeal until after they are found guilty. This is a big mistake. A criminal defense lawyer who represents a defendant in a trial court must always think about the possibility of an appeal, and act to protect the client's appellate rights in the event of a loss at trial by creating a trial record that includes appealable issues in the event an appeal becomes necessary.

At the New Jersey criminal appeals law firm of James S. Friedman, LLC, we handle appeals from criminal convictions in the New Jersey Superior Court, as well as criminal convictions from State-level trial courts throughout the United States.

Many issues can arise at the trial court level that can be the basis for an appeal in a State criminal case. These issues include, but are not limited to:

• Denial of a motion to suppress evidence;
• Denial of a motion to suppress a defendant's statement to law enforcement;
• Denial or a motion to admit evidence helpful to the defense;
• Denial of a motion to dismiss the charges;
• Denial of a post-trial motion;
• Evidence disappeared or was tampered with prior to trial;
• New evidence materialized but was not disclosed to the defense attorney or used at trial;
• The wrong law was applied to the case;
• The trial court's jury charge was wrong;
• The sentence imposed was illegal;
• The prosecutor made improper comments to the jury; or
• Other improper conduct by the prosecutor or police that contributed to a finding of guilt, such as withholding information or presenting perjured testimony.

A seasoned New Jersey criminal appeals lawyer will recognize these issues and use them to craft strong appellate arguments.

Appeals are usually based on legal errors that occurred at, or in connection with, the trial. A successful appeal stems from a careful analysis of all phases of the trial court proceedings including pre-trial motions, jury selection, opening statements, presentation of witness testimony and other evidence, closing statements, jury deliberations, and sentencing. We identify and skillfully explain all available arguments that can be included in an appeal.

When we are trial counsel, we begin to prepare for the possibility of appeal at the earliest stages of a case. We constantly seek to include issues in the trial record that are likely to provide the basis for an appeal. We know that a good trial attorney cannot assume that a jury will simply "walk" their client, and that effective trial counsel must start to prepare for an appeal by trying wherever possible to build appellate issues into the trial record.

When we are retained to handle an appeal for a client previously represented by another lawyer, we perform a thorough analysis of the entire trial record. We then honestly advise the client (and, depending on the circumstances, the client's family) about the appellate arguments that are available and the likelihood of success on appeal.

Our appellate practice is not limited to the courts of New Jersey. We have been admitted in other jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis to represent clients in criminal appeals. In such matters, we work with local counsel to take the appeal through that state's judicial system as efficiently as possible. As with all appeals, we strives to achieve the best possible results for his client under the unique facts and circumstances of their case.

Finally, we are sensitive to the costly and protracted nature of appellate practice. We always seek to advance appeals as efficiently as possible, finding ways to get the best result at the lowest cost to the client and their family.

Generally speaking, and under current law, defendants seeking to appeal a conviction of a New Jersey trial court have 45 days from the date they are sentenced to commence their appeal by filing a Notice of Appeal and related paperwork with the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. If this deadline is missed, a defendant may be able to obtain a 30-day extension, but only if they have a very good reason. Missing both of these deadlines could result in the loss of the right to appeal. It is strongly recommended that any defendant seeking to appeal their conviction do so as soon as possible after sentencing. Do not wait until the last minute.

If you have been convicted of murder, carjacking, robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault, a drug offense, or any other crime in New Jersey or any other State, contact New Jersey criminal appeals attorney James Friedman online or call 800-361-6554 (toll free) to schedule a consultation to discuss your appeal.