The right to a fair trial is a cornerstone of the American justice system. However, in some cases, jurors hide personal biases during jury selection. When this happens, a defendant may have grounds to challenge a conviction through the appeals process. Can a biased...
If you are facing a criminal conviction and you learn that the court dismissed your appeal, the news can feel devastating. You may have hoped the appellate court would correct what you believe went wrong at the initial trial. Generally, an appellate court’s decision...
Prosecutorial misconduct can affect the fairness of a criminal case in Washington, DC. When it impacts the outcome, it may support an appeal. Understanding how appellate courts review these claims helps you see when an appeal may succeed. What counts as prosecutorial...
Jury instructions play a key role in ensuring that a trial is fair and that the jury has a clear understanding of the law they must apply to the facts of the case. In Maryland, if a jury instruction is flawed, it can potentially lead to a successful appeal. However,...
Trace DNA, or touch DNA, is tiny amounts of genetic material left on an object after brief contact. Just a few skin cells can create a DNA profile. This evidence can connect someone to a crime scene, but it can also lead to mistakes. In Maryland, appeals courts often...
When someone faces trial, fairness depends on an impartial jury. Yet, bias can slip into the process through prejudice, preconceived opinions, or exposure to outside information. If that bias influences the verdict, the question becomes whether appellate courts can...
When someone faces criminal charges, they deserve a fair trial. That includes the right to a defense without divided loyalties. If a defense representative has a conflict of interest, it can raise serious concerns about fairness. In some cases, this problem may serve...
In most criminal cases, an appeal cannot be based on simply disagreeing with the verdict. Appeals usually require new evidence. This typically is something that was not available or known during the original trial. The courts expect the new information to be strong...
If you're involved in a legal case in Maryland and disagree with a decision, you might wonder about the appeals process. An appeal is a request to a higher court to review the decision of a lower court. It's a way to challenge the outcome of a case that you believe...
A criminal conviction does not always mean the end of the road. In certain situations, Maryland judges can order a new trial, giving your case a fresh start. Understanding these grounds could be crucial if you or a loved one believes the court did not properly serve...