Milwaukee Sex Crime Appeals Lawyer
Sex crimes are serious offenses in Wisconsin, and the consequences of being convicted can be life-changing. A sex crime conviction may lead to jail time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. Those convicted of a sex crime in Milwaukee might be able to appeal their sentence if they take the proper steps.
If you were convicted of criminal charges in Milwaukee, Hart Powell, S.C. can help you understand whether you can appeal your case and work towards the best outcome in your case. Contact the Milwaukee Criminal Appeals lawyers of Hart Powell, S.C. today at (414) 271-9595 to learn more in a confidential case evaluation.
The Basics of Criminal Appeals
If you were convicted of a sex crime, you might have the option to appeal the verdict. An appeal allows a convicted party to challenge the original ruling and present arguments demonstrating why the court should reverse or modify the conviction.
Appeals are sent to the appropriate appellate court. The higher court will review the original record and decide whether the conviction was valid. If the conviction isn’t found to be supported by sufficient evidence, then it can be overturned. On the other hand, if the court finds enough evidence to support the conviction, the verdict will be upheld.
It’s important to remember that appeals don’t give you a chance to get a second trial or present new evidence or testimony. Appeals are limited in scope and are based only on legal issues—not factual ones. This means that appeals must focus on how the law was applied or interpreted during the trial. A criminal defense attorney experienced in appeals can help you understand what issues could be raised on appeal and how best to pursue your case.
Who Can Appeal a Criminal Conviction in Wisconsin?
Under Wisconsin law, any person convicted of a criminal offense has the right to appeal their conviction, including individuals convicted of sex crimes. A criminal conviction can be appealed by the defendant, their defense attorney, or an appointed appellate lawyer.
For an appeal to be considered valid, the appellant must demonstrate that either the trial court made a legal error or that there was a lack of evidence to support the conviction. The appellant must also prove that the alleged error or deficiency harmed them. If the appeal is successful, the appellant may be granted a new trial or have the conviction overturned altogether.
The Appellate Process in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, you have a right to appeal any criminal conviction, including a conviction for a sex crime, so long as your appeal occurs in the proper timeline and obeys the rules of criminal procedure. For your appeal to meet the required deadline, you must file a Notice of Intent to Appeal or Pursue Post-Conviction Rights within 20 days of sentencing. You can also explore other forms of relief, such as motions to withdraw a guilty plea or to modify or overturn your sentence.
Your criminal appeals lawyer will prepare an appellant’s brief. This document will include the facts of your case, the legal grounds for review, your arguments about why the conviction should be overturned, and any questions and concerns related to the decision.
The District Court of Appeals has no time restrictions on how quickly they must review an appeal, and some appeals can take more than two years. After the reviewing process, the court may call for a hearing or make a decision based on the appellant’s brief. The court can decide to affirm, modify, reverse, or remand the case for a new trial.
Sex Crimes Specific Issues on Appeal
When a person is convicted of a sex crime in Wisconsin, several issues often need to be addressed to appeal the conviction. For example, many sex crimes involve a significant amount of physical evidence, and if this evidence was improperly admitted because it was obtained improperly or some evidence was improperly excluded, an appeal could be granted. Additionally, Wisconsin law provides specific sentencing guidelines for different sex crimes, and if those guidelines were not followed, the conviction could be appealed. Other issues that could be raised in an appeal include ineffective assistance of counsel, bias of the jury or judge, lack of sufficient evidence, entrapment by law enforcement, and prosecutorial or jury misconduct.
How a Milwaukee Criminal Appeals Lawyer Can Help
If you have been convicted of a sex crime in Milwaukee, you may have the right to appeal your conviction. A skilled and experienced Milwaukee criminal appeals lawyer can help you understand your rights, evaluate your chances for success on appeal, and represent you in court throughout the appeals process. A seasoned attorney will know how to discover, review, and challenge errors made at trial and raise important issues on appeal that may result in overturning your conviction or reducing your sentence. An experienced lawyer can also help protect your rights and give you the best chance of success in the appellate court.
Milwaukee Sex Crimes Appeals Lawyers
If you are looking for an experienced sex crimes appeals attorney in Milwaukee, Hart Powell, S.C. can provide the legal representation you need.
Our team of dedicated criminal defense lawyers has extensive experience in all areas of criminal law, including criminal appeals, and can help you fight for the best outcome in your case. We understand that being convicted of a crime can be an incredibly stressful situation, and we will work diligently to ensure your rights are fully protected.
From negotiations with prosecutors to trial defense and appeals, we will fight for justice on your behalf every step of the way. Since 1993, we’ve been defending our clients and protecting their rights. You can review our results here to see how we’ve helped other clients. We’ll apply the same diligence to your case that we’ve given all our other clients over the years.
Contact Hart Powell, S.C. today at (414) 271-9595 for a legal consultation to learn more about how we can help you appeal a Wisconsin sex crime conviction.