Trial courts make mistakes, but not all trial court errors give you a reason to appeal. Instead, the court must have committed a reversible error. Below, our Fort Lauderdale appeals attorney discusses the possible errors that may occur and how we can help you get the decision reversed.
Reversible Trial Court Errors
Generally, reversible trial court errors are mistakes that could have changed the outcome of the case. According to our Fort Lauderdale appeals attorney, when you file an appeal, you will have to prove to the appeals court that the trial court’s mistake was so substantial that it could have impacted either the court’s decision or your sentencing.
The appeals court wants to know if the mistake resulted in a miscarriage of justice. If the result of your case may have been different had the trial court not made the error, or if the error had an adverse effect on the jury’s decision, the error may be reversible.
Errors Preserved for Appeal
In most cases, a reversible error must be preserved for appeal at the time the mistake is made. Typically, your right to an appeal is protected when your defense counsel objects to the irregularity during the trial. For example, your Fort Lauderdale appeals attorney may object to the admission of a piece of evidence or to a question the prosecution asks a witness.
According to the Florida Bar, preserving an error for appeal serves three important purposes, including:
- Giving the trial court a chance to fix the mistake immediately without the need for an appeal
- Preventing an unnecessary delay in your case
- Preventing lawyers from going back later to look for errors that could be used to their client’s advantage
However, both Florida and federal courts recognize that justice requires the appeal of some errors even if a trial lawyer doesn’t preserve the right to appeal. In Florida courts, you may appeal without having made an objection if the error is deemed fundamental. In federal court, you may appeal if the error is considered to be a plain error.
Our Fort Lauderdale Appeals Attorney Fights to Overturn Unjust Convictions in Florida Criminal Cases
If you believe the trial court made a reversible error in your case, you need to talk to a Fort Lauderdale appeals attorney as soon as possible. You have a limited amount of time to file your appeal, and you may only have one chance at a direct appeal. Therefore, we encourage you to protect your rights today by contacting our experienced Fort Lauderdale appeals attorney, Robert David Malove, at 954-861-0384
