Direct appeal refers to the appealing of the underlying criminal conviction or sentence in a higher court. The direct appeal process consists of appealing to all higher courts of the original conviction or sentence. Once the highest court has affirmed the conviction or sentence, then the direct appeal process has finished. Then, the defendant’s only option is to file a petition for post-conviction relief.

• What is an appellate brief?
• What is the record?
• Is there a time limit on appeals?
• What are some commonly alleged errors in criminal trials?
• What further legal options are available to a person once convicted?
• What factors does a judge consider in determining sentencing?
• How does a judge determine whether sentencing is concurrent or consecutive?
• What is the difference between serving sentences concurrently or consecutively?
• What is time served?
• If a defendant is sentenced to three years, how much time will the defendant actually serve?
• What is a suspended sentence?
• Does it matter if a person has prior convictions?
• What happens after a person is convicted?
• If the jury convicts the defendant, what are the defendant’s options?
• Why are jury instructions important?
• Can the jury receive written copies of the judge’s instructions?
• What happens with the attorneys proposed jury instructions?
• Where do attorneys obtain proposed jury instructions?
• What happens in the jury instruction phase of the trial?
• Is there a set time for closing arguments?