Criminal appeals leads are highly specialized opportunities for attorneys focused on challenging trial court decisions in criminal cases. These leads require a deep understanding of appellate procedures and issues of legal error.
These leads often involve clients seeking to overturn convictions or reduce sentencing based on procedural mistakes, ineffective counsel, or constitutional violations. They represent complex, high-stakes legal work with potential for impactful outcomes.
Criminal appeals leads are less frequent than general criminal defense leads but remain steady due to the volume of trial convictions and the structured timelines for filing appeals.
In 2024, U.S. Courts of Appeals saw 9,396 criminal appeal filings. While the overall volume is lower than other areas, consistent demand exists from defendants seeking post-conviction relief, especially in federal cases.
Effective intake requires gathering the original case docket, trial transcripts, judgment records, and deadlines for filing appeals. Attorneys should assess whether the appeal is direct, discretionary, or post-conviction.
Key intake elements include the conviction date, grounds for appeal, appellate jurisdiction, trial counsel history, and any prior appeals. This data helps determine the viability of the appeal and alignment with firm expertise.