A full service law firm with focused practice groups in family law, adoption, probate,
traffic/criminal defense and civil litigation.
Criminal Appeals
Criminal Appeals Attorneys Serving Akron and Northeast Ohio
Serving Akron, Canton, Summit County, Portage and Medina, Ohio.
It’s frustrating to take your case all the way through the court system and still get the wrong result. Maybe the judge made a legal error. Maybe evidence wasn’t handled properly. Maybe your side of the story wasn’t fully told. When the court gets it wrong, we don’t back down. We step in and fight to make it right.
At Hoover Kacyon, LLC, we represent individuals across Northeast Ohio who are challenging convictions or unfair sentences through the appellate process. We know how overwhelming it feels to be told the case is over when justice hasn’t been served. That’s where we come in. We help you reopen that door and demand a fair review.
Understanding Criminal Appeals in Ohio
A criminal appeal is not a retrial. It is a legal process used to challenge errors that may have occurred during your original trial or sentencing. Appeals are typically based on violations of constitutional rights, misapplication of the law, or improper rulings by the trial court that could have influenced the outcome of your case.
Common grounds for appeal in Ohio include ineffective assistance of counsel, improper admission or exclusion of evidence, sentencing errors, judicial bias or misconduct, incorrect jury instructions, and violations of constitutional rights during trial proceedings. These types of mistakes can result in an unfair conviction or an unlawful sentence, and appealing may be your opportunity to correct them.
Appeals are filed in the appropriate District Court of Appeals and must meet strict deadlines. In most cases, a Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the final judgment. Once filed, the process involves reviewing trial transcripts, researching legal standards, writing appellate briefs, and presenting oral arguments to the court. We manage every step of this process with care, focus, and the goal of giving you the second chance you deserve.
How We Can
Help at Your First Consultation
Appellate work is highly technical, and timing matters. At your first consultation, we will:
- Review your conviction and explain how the appeals process works in Ohio
- Identify key deadlines and determine whether your case is still eligible for appeal
- Discuss possible errors that may form the basis for an appeal
- Hear your concerns about what went wrong at trial and examine available records
- Explain how we handle appellate representation and what legal work is involved
- And we assure you everything you share with us is 100 percent confidential
We are here to offer honest guidance, review every detail, and advocate for the justice you still deserve.
Traffic and Criminal
Experienced Lawyers in Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Estate Planning, Probate, Criminal, Traffic, Bankruptcy, Business, Personal Injury, Civil and Education Law.
What We Can Do for You
A criminal appeal is your chance to correct legal errors and fight for a fair outcome. We approach every appeal with urgency, close analysis, and persuasive writing. Our goal is to identify mistakes that impacted your case, present a compelling argument, and pursue reversal, a new trial, or other relief through the appellate court.
Obtain and Review the Full Trial Record and Transcripts
We order and examine trial transcripts, exhibits, and pleadings to identify appealable errors. Our full review helps uncover legal mistakes, improper rulings, or objections that were not fully addressed during trial proceedings.
Draft and File a Thorough Appellate Brief
We write compelling appellate briefs that outline trial errors and support your appeal with citations to law and fact. These documents follow strict court rules and are essential to persuading the appellate court to reverse or modify the outcome.
File Motions to Stay Sentence or Seek Release Pending Appeal
We request bond or sentencing delays while the appeal is pending. These filings protect your liberty, especially when immediate incarceration would cause hardship before the appellate court has reviewed the lower court’s decision.
Argue Your Case Before the Appellate Judges
We present oral argument before the appellate court and respond to judicial questions in real time. Our goal is to emphasize errors, clarify complex issues, and respectfully advocate for a ruling that restores your right to a fair process.
Advise on Supreme Court or Post-Conviction Options
If your appeal is denied, we explain remaining legal remedies such as discretionary review, motions for new trial, or sentence modification. We help you evaluate options and prepare the next round of filings when appropriate.
When to Call a Criminal Appeals Attorney
If you or someone you care about has been convicted and you believe a legal error affected the outcome, it is important to act quickly. Appeals are time-sensitive, with strict filing deadlines that can affect your ability to challenge the verdict. Early involvement allows us to review the trial record, identify mistakes, and prepare a compelling case for appeal.
Our attorneys are ready to protect your rights and fight for a second chance through the appeals process.
Tell Us About You And Your Situation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an appeal in Ohio?
Generally, 30 days from the final judgment or sentencing. Missing the deadline may prevent an appeal, so act quickly.
Is an appeal a new trial?
No. An appeal reviews legal errors from the original trial. It does not involve new witnesses or evidence.
Can I appeal a guilty plea?
Sometimes. You may be able to challenge the plea if it was not made knowingly or voluntarily, or if errors occurred afterward.
What happens if I win my appeal?
The case may be reversed, remanded for a new trial, or re-sentenced. It depends on the nature of the error.
Do I need the trial transcript to appeal?
Yes. The appellate court relies on the trial record. We handle transcript requests and filings on your behalf.
