How an Appellate Lawyer Can Help You After You Have Been Wrongly Convicted

If you have been wrongly convicted of a crime and have already spent some time in jail, you should consider getting an appellate lawyer. This type of attorney can get the conviction turned around so that you can go free, though of course this outcome is not guaranteed. Learn why you should at least give such an attorney a shot at helping you.

The most obvious reward of winning the appeal is getting out of jail. Unless you think it is the best option for your safety, you likely do not enjoy being locked up. No matter how long you have been incarcerated, getting out and going home will be a huge relief for you and your family. You will get to make your own schedule again, and will be able to live by your own rules as long as they follow the laws. In general, just getting a chance of getting out of jail should be reason enough to contact an appellate lawyer and find out your options.

Another benefit of possibly winning the appeal is the ability to clear your name. It can be devastating to be wrongly convicted and then punished for something that you did not do. Your name may be published in the local newspaper, which can be humiliating, especially if others feel you have let them down. Depending on the crime you have been accused of, a conviction can even be a threat to your safety, especially if the victim's loved ones want revenge. You will find that many people change their entire opinion of you after a conviction, so it can be quite destructive for your relationships with others, and it may even be hard to get a job with this on your record. This is why you should at least meet with an appellate lawyer to find out what he or she can do for you. The meeting should be free, so do not worry if you decide that you cannot be helped or cannot afford an attorney.

In addition to the reinstatement of your freedom and good reputation, you may be entitled to receive money when your conviction is appealed. This may be enough for you to get your life back, as you will need to be able to pay bills while you look for a new job. You may even be able to put some into savings and start living the life you have missed out on due to a mistake in the legal system. Of course, you can only expect to receive money if it appears that a few important facts were ignored or even hidden by the other legal team. Fortunately, a good appellate lawyer can often unearth this kind of wrongdoing so you can get the money you deserve.

There may be additional reasons to see this kind of attorney. The one you choose can let you know more when you schedule an initial consultation.