Georgia Appeal Lawyers
Georgia Appellate Experts With Proven Results, Ready to Defend Your Rights
Experienced Appeal Attorneys in Georgia
Brownstone’s appellate law firm works with clients across the state of Georgia to handle complex civil and criminal appeals. Our Georgia appeal lawyers are licensed and committed to delivering results for clients facing the appellate process before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and even the United States Supreme Court.
Contact our expert lawyers at 1-(770) 284-3147 for a free consultation and let our experienced appellate team guide your case from start to finish.
Georgia Appeal Lawyers Handling Federal and State Appeals
Contact our appellate law firm to discuss your case, and our Georgia appeal lawyers will review your judgment and determine the best options available for appeal. Whether your case involves a federal charge or a state conviction, our attorneys are prepared to defend your rights through every stage of the appellate process.
We represent clients across Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, and Athens for both criminal and civil appeals in Georgia. Our Georgia appeal lawyers can strategically handle appeals to withdraw a plea, reduce a federal sentence, obtain a new trial, or vacate convictions under Rules 2254 and 2255.
Criminal Appeals in Georgia: Defending Your Rights
Right to Appeal
You have the right to appeal your conviction or sentence in Georgia. Until your appeal is filed or the right is waived, your case remains open. Our criminal appeal lawyers in Georgia will help you navigate this process, explain your rights, and identify the strongest grounds for appeal.
Grounds for Criminal Appeal
When you appeal a criminal case in Georgia on the grounds of any error made at the trial level, the error must be a substantial one that significantly affected the outcome of the trial.
Common grounds for appeal include:
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: When the defense attorney’s performance fell below the standard of competence, resulting in prejudice to the defendant’s case.
- Errors of Law or Procedure (Plain Error): The court misinterpreted or misapplied the law, or failed to follow proper procedures, such as making incorrect rulings on evidence.
- Insufficient Evidence: The evidence presented at trial was not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Prosecutorial Misconduct: When the prosecution misbehaves, such as by withholding evidence or misleading the court, it affects the fairness of the trial.
- Jury Misconduct: A juror or jury violated court rules by discussing the case outside the courtroom, conducting private research, or being dishonest.
- Incorrect Jury Instructions: The judge gave the jury wrong or misleading legal directions that influenced the verdict.
- Abuse of Discretion: The judge made decisions that exceeded their authority or unfairly impacted the trial’s outcome.
- Errors in the Verdict: Mistakes in how the verdict was reached or recorded, such as inconsistencies between the evidence and the jury’s findings.
Criminal Appeal Process in Georgia
The criminal appeal process in Georgia involves several key steps, and having an experienced appeal lawyer helps ensure that all requirements are adequately met:
- Filing the Notice of Appeal: The first step, filed within a specific timeframe after the sentencing or conviction.
- Record Preparation: The trial transcript and evidence are compiled for appellate review.
- Legal Brief Submission: Your appellate lawyer presents written arguments highlighting legal or procedural errors from the trial.
- Oral Arguments: In certain cases, lawyers appear before appellate judges to argue their position.
- Court Decision: The appellate court, either the Georgia Court of Appeals or the Georgia Supreme Court, reviews the case and may affirm, reverse, or remand it for further proceedings.
Georgia Federal Appeals Lawyers
Our law firm handles Georgia federal appeals to the Eleventh Circuit Court of the United States. Contact Robert Sirianni to review any federal appeal in Georgia.
Notable Case: Armentrout v. The State (2015)
In the 2015 appeals case Armentrout v. The State, involving the John Creek Police Department’s police checkpoint program, the Georgia Court of Appeals held that the state was wrong in detaining the defendant at a roadblock set up by the police.
After stopping the defendant, the police arrested her and charged her with DUI. She pursued a motion to suppress the evidence gathered from the traffic stop, arguing that the checkpoint was unlawful. The Fulton Court Judge presiding over the trial denied Armentrout’s motion to suppress, which the Georgia Court of Appeals deemed as an error, contending that the state had failed to prove that the checkpoint program had “an appropriate primary purpose”.
Why Choose Brownstone for Your Georgia Appeal?
Led by Robert Sirianni, Jr., our appeals attorneys in Georgia are dedicated to winning the argument on appeal. Our team fights cases based on errors committed in the original trial, unsupported decisions, and courts that abuse discretion or exceed their jurisdiction.
Our experienced criminal appeal lawyers have represented clients in diverse cases involving white-collar offenses, business litigation, and complex civil matters across Georgia. We can handle criminal appeals and Georgia post-conviction relief throughout the state.
With decades of experience in Georgia state and federal appellate courts, we prepare every case strategically. When you enter the appellate courtroom, you’ll have a dedicated legal team standing beside you, ready to fight for your rights and your future. Because appeal deadlines are strict, our lawyers ensure every filing is timely and every legal requirement is met.
We approach criminal appeal cases from every angle to ensure each argument is built on solid legal grounds and evidence. If you believe your trial was affected by legal mistakes or procedural errors, we’re here to help you seek justice through the appellate process.
News and Publications: Atlanta Georgia Appeal Cases
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FAQs about the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Georgia Supreme Court
1. What is the Georgia Supreme Court?
The Georgia Supreme Court is the highest court in the state, responsible for reviewing appeals in significant cases, interpreting state laws, and overseeing the legal profession.
2. What types of cases does the Georgia Supreme Court hear?
The court hears cases involving constitutional issues, murder convictions, election disputes, and cases where the Court of Appeals has requested guidance.
3. How are justices selected for the Georgia Supreme Court?
Justices are elected in nonpartisan statewide elections for six-year terms. If a vacancy occurs, the governor may appoint a replacement.
4. How many justices serve on the Georgia Supreme Court?
The court consists of nine justices, including the Chief Justice.
5. Can decisions of the Georgia Supreme Court be appealed?
No, its decisions are final for state law matters, but cases involving federal law can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
6. How can I access Georgia Supreme Court decisions?
Opinions are available on the court's official website and other legal resources.
7. What is the Georgia Court of Appeals?
It is the intermediate appellate court that reviews cases from lower courts, except those that go directly to the Georgia Supreme Court.
8. What types of cases does the Georgia Court of Appeals hear?
The court hears civil and criminal appeals, except for those involving constitutional issues, murder convictions, and other cases reserved for the Supreme Court.
9. How many judges serve on the Georgia Court of Appeals?
There are 15 judges, who sit in panels of three to decide cases.
10. How are judges selected for the Georgia Court of Appeals?
Judges are elected in nonpartisan statewide elections for six-year terms, with gubernatorial appointments for vacancies.
11. Can decisions from the Georgia Court of Appeals be appealed?
Yes, parties can request a review by the Georgia Supreme Court, but not all cases will be accepted.
12. Where can I find Georgia Court of Appeals opinions?
Decisions are available online through the court's official website and legal research databases.
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