Austin TX DWI Lawyer - Ian Inglis

Understanding the Appeals System

In the United States, defendants in criminal trials almost always have the right to appeal a guilty verdict. Unlike prosecutors, who are often restricted by the protections of the double jeopardy clause, defendants may usually appeal adverse court decisions to an appellate court for review – and perhaps reversal.



The primary concern of an appeals court is the procedural aspect of a court case; that is, the way in which a lower court conducted trial proceedings, dealt with conflicts, and applied legal concepts in a particular case. If the appeals court determines that an error committed by the trial court had a significant impact on the outcome of the trial, it may decide to reverse or modify the judgment.

The appellate court system is arranged in a sort of hierarchy; each successive “level” has the authority to change or override the decisions of levels below it. The highest appeals court is the Supreme Court of the United States, whose decisions are final. The Supreme Court is often called upon to deliver the definitive opinion on interpretations of law in controversial cases, and its decision sets judicial precedent for years to come.

For more information on DWI and the criminal justice system, contact Austin DWI lawyer, Ian Inglis, at 512-472-1950 today.