If you have received a decision from a trial in a civil or criminal case and you don’t like that decision, you generally have the right to an appeal. These are time sensitive and you must file within the time in your jurisdiction or you will lose this right.
In a civil case, either party may appeal to a higher court. In a criminal case, only the defendant has a right to an appeal in most states.
An appeal is an opportunity to ask a higher court (or court of review) to determine if there were mistakes made - is not a retrial or a new trial of the case. If the judgment is ultimately reversed, the appeals court may send the case back to the trial court for a new trial or other actions that will be specified in the decision.
For the most part, appeals courts do not usually consider new witnesses or new evidence. These cases are also very technical in the rules that need to be followed. Often times, litigants will try to handle these matters on their own, only to have their pleadings rejected multiple times.
I have been handling appeals for over 20 years. I have three published decisions and a multitude of unpublished cases. I have handled cases that have petitioned to the United States Supreme Court.
I offer several different services relating to appeals:
- I will review your case for a flat fee and give you written feedback on whether or not the case is ready for an appeal, what errors are likely to be successful on appeal, and detailed information about the process for your case and likelihood of success.
- I will co-counsel in appeals to assist with the preparation of briefs and appendices.
- I will handle your entire case from start (or picking up the case after it has been filed) to finish.
- I can handle any limited aspect of your case at your request.
I am currently accepting appeals in the following case types and jurisdictions for any of the above services.
- New Jersey Appellate Division (family, criminal, civil)
- New Jersey Supreme Court (family, criminal, civil)
- Amicus briefs in any federal court and New Jersey State Court
- United States Courts of Appeal, for any matters relating to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention)
- United States Supreme Court (all matters)
These services are offered to lawyers and non-lawyers. During our consult we will discuss the timing and cost of the preparation of all documents. Schedule a consultation today. Once you have paid the consultation fee, please email the order or judgment to amy@madjammusiclaw.com. I will review it in advance. If you are looking for a flat fee review of the case, please email me the order/judgment and put “appeal review” in the subject line.
