Virginia Appeals Lawyer

It’s an all-too-common scenario: you thought you had hired a lawyer with the experience needed to beat your charges. But something went wrong during the process, and you were instead convicted. If you think that something went wrong, you have the right to appeal your conviction. An appeal is your last chance to clear your name. To be successful, you need a Virginia appeals lawyer who is accomplished in handling criminal defense cases.

Attorney Drew Page has been a trusted name in criminal defense for many years. He has specialized experience handling criminal appeals. Virginia appellate courts look for superior persuasive skills and a clear identification of the relevant legal arguments to support your appeal. Even if your original lawyer was well-qualified to handle your trial, that is no indication of qualification at the appellate level.

Your original trial was focused on facts: evidence and witness testimony designed to support your defense. At the appeals level, the focus shifts to analyzing the legal issues contained in the trial record. Rather than appealing to a jury, your lawyer focuses on appealing to the judge.  Identifying the discrete issues that are likely to persuade an appellate judge to overturn a lower court decision can be challenging—and your appeals lawyer is your first line of defense. 

Attorney Drew Page has the expertise and attention to detail you want in a criminal appeals lawyer. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with an experienced Virginia appeals lawyer. Drew Page can come to you to discuss your legal options.

Understanding Grounds for Appeal in Virginia Courts

Not every defendant who is convicted of a crime is given the right to a second trial. While you always have the right to appeal, an entirely new trial is a relatively rare outcome. And not every mistake provides grounds for the appellate courts to grant a reversal. It is up to your appeals lawyer to find a mistake substantial enough that it likely impacted the outcome of your trial.

Some examples of situations where the appeals court might agree to change the outcome of your case include:

• The judge improperly excluded favorable evidence that could have supported your innocence
• The judge refused to exclude evidence that the prosecution and police obtained illegally, such as in violation of your constitutional rights
• The judge gave jury instructions or made statements before the jury that were improperly prejudicial to your case
• A pre-trial motion or motion during trial was wrongly decided
• The judge interpreted the law incorrectly
• The laws that applied in your case were unconstitutional

Winning on appeal depends in large part upon the skill of your criminal appeals lawyer.  Because an appeal is often your last chance at clearing your name, the stakes are always high. 

Drew Page is an experienced criminal appeals attorney in Suffolk, VA with a proven track record of successfully helping clients get their convictions overturned. His firm is committed to getting results for clients through hard work, attention to detail, and a passion for justice. An experienced Virginia appeals lawyer treats every case as a top priority—which is what you can expect from dedicated attorney Drew Page.

Superior Criminal Appeals Attorney in Suffolk, VA Puts Proven Persuasive Skills to Work for You

Understanding what to expect from the appeals process is important. Attorney Drew Page begins your criminal appeal by making sure all filing deadlines and procedural requirements are satisfied. He will obtain all relevant documents, including the lower court trial record and documents, from your trial lawyer. As an experienced lawyer, attorney Drew Page will go over every detail to discover potential errors that may have impacted the outcome of your trial.

Virginia appeals lawyer, Drew Page, then carefully develops the arguments that will support your appeal. Unlike at trial, most of this is done in writing. The appellate brief is where the judge will first hear your arguments on appeal. Attorney Drew Page puts his proven persuasive writing skills to work in drafting the most compelling arguments possible in your case.

Considering a Criminal Appeal? Contact an Accomplished Virginia Criminal Appeals Lawyer Quickly to Discuss Your Options

In Virginia, you have 30 days from the date of conviction to appeal. Therefore, it is critical that you contact a qualified criminal appeals lawyer who is able to move quickly to protect your rights. 

Attorney Drew Page understands that choosing an appeals lawyer can be difficult. After all, your original lawyer failed to win an acquittal. The idea of facing more time in court can seem overwhelming. However, many convictions are reversed on appeal with the help of a qualified criminal appeals lawyer.

Your first consultation with Attorney Drew Page is always free. 

To learn more about our firm and how a qualified lawyer can fight to protect your rights on appeal, call or fill out this online contact form today.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Virginia Criminal Appeals Process