Signs You Should Avoid a Law Firm for Your Appeal
Table of Contents Summary No “New Trial” on Appeal: Appeals review the existing trial record for legal errors; new evidence or witnesses cannot be introduced. Beware of Instant Quotes: Reputable appellate firms review trial transcripts before estimating costs or assessing the strength of a case. Avoid Guaranteed Results: With most appeals unsuccessful, any promise of […]
What Happens After Filing an Appeal?
Table of contents Summary Strict Deadlines: An appeal must be initiated immediately via a Notice of Appeal within strict deadlines (14–60 days), or the case is permanently dead. No Automatic Pause: Appealing does not stop the collection of damages; freezing enforcement requires a “Stay” and an upfront bond covering 100% to 125% of the judgment. […]
When the Video Doesn’t LieBut the Court Won’t Look
The Sixth Circuit’s ruling in Vaughn v. Rea exposes a dangerous gap in Fourth Amendment law — and Brownstone Law is taking it to the Supreme Court. On December 15, 2019, Mohammad Isaifan ran out of gas on I-76 outside Akron, Ohio, and walked home. He never made it. Two off-duty Akron police officers — […]
State vs. Federal Appeals: What’s Different and Why It Matters
Table of Contents What Makes an Appealable Error? The State Appellate System The Federal Appellate System The “Habeas Corpus” Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions Summary Review, Not Retrial: An appeal is a clinical review of the trial record to find legal errors, not an opportunity to present new evidence. Prejudicial Error: To win, you must […]
7 Questions You Should Ask Any Appeals Lawyer Before Hiring Them
Table of Contents What specific legal errors do you believe happened in my case? How much of your practice is devoted specifically to appeals? What are the biggest weaknesses in my appeal? How do you decide which issues to raise? What happens if the appeal fails? Can I review examples of your appellate work? Have […]
How To Appeal A Court Decision: A Guide To The U.S. Appeals Process
Key Takeaways Not every court decision can be appealed immediately. Final judgments are generally appealable, while some interlocutory orders may be reviewed before the case ends only when a statute, rule, or other exception permits it. Before appealing, determine whether the judgment or order is appealable and which appellate court has jurisdiction. Filing the notice […]
10 Most Dangerous Cities in California (2026 Update): Latest FBI & CA DOJ Crime Data
Key Takeaways California’s violent crime, property crime, and homicide rates all fell substantially in 2025, with early 2026 data showing the downward trend continuing in many major cities. Oakland still records among the highest violent- and property-crime rates for large U.S. cities, but its 2025–2026 data show sharp, broad-based declines in homicides and other serious […]
Understanding Appeal Bonds & Supersedeas Bonds — When & Why They Matter
You’ve lost in the trial Court, which means immediate collection risk. It allows creditors to garnish wages, freeze accounts, place liens on property, and liquidate business assets- all before your appeal is decided. But just every situation has a solution; similarly, this crisis has one too: a supersedeas bond (also called an appeal bond). This […]
What Does it Mean When an Appeal is Upheld?
Key Takeaways When an appeal is upheld, the lower court’s challenged decision generally remains in effect. Appellate courts more commonly describe this result as an affirmance, meaning the appellant did not obtain the reversal, vacatur, or other change requested on the issues that were affirmed. An appellate court can uphold only part of a case. […]
All You Need To Know About Appellate Lawyers
If you ever had to deal an appeal or came across someone who was an appellate lawyer, you might have wondered, why do we need an appellate lawyer? Why can’t we use the same lawyer for trials and appeals? You are not alone, many people unfamiliar with appellate attorneys in Georgia have the same questions […]