Appealing decisions in criminal liability cases
Appealing a court verdict in criminal proceedings is a right of every person who believes they have been unlawfully convicted or disagrees with the imposed punishment. There is a clearly defined procedure for filing an appeal:
- An appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date the verdict is announced.
- The appeal must specify what violations were committed by the trial court.
- The appellate court reviews both the factual circumstances of the case and the adherence to procedural norms.
- The decision may be changed, annulled, or upheld.
- Legal assistance from a defense lawyer is critically important at this stage.
Grounds for Appeal and Cassation in Criminal Proceedings
Not every dissatisfaction with a verdict can serve as grounds for its reversal. The law provides specific conditions under which a decision may be reviewed:
- Significant violations of criminal or criminal procedural law.
- Discovery of new evidence that is materially important to the case.
- Lack of proof of guilt or incorrect legal qualification of the offense.
- Violation of the rights of the suspect or defendant.
- Disproportion between the punishment and the severity of the committed act.
- If the decision of the appellate court is unsatisfactory, the person has the right to file a cassation appeal within three months of the ruling.
The Role of a Lawyer in Appealing Criminal Case Decisions
Criminal appeals are a complex process requiring a high level of legal expertise. A lawyer plays a key role in ensuring effective defense:
- Analyzes the court ruling and prepares the legal justification for the appeal.
- Collects additional evidence and conducts legal assessments.
- Defends the client’s rights in appellate and cassation courts.
- Provides recommendations regarding the prospects of the case.
- Accompanies the client through the entire appeal process from start to finish.
- Without professional support, the chances of a successful appeal are significantly reduced.
Time Limits and Procedural Restrictions in Criminal Appeals

The submission of an appeal or cassation complaint in a criminal case is strictly regulated by procedural deadlines. The general term for filing an appeal against a verdict, ruling, or decision of the court of first instance is 30 days from the date the decision is announced. If this deadline is missed without a valid reason, the complaint may be left without consideration.

It is important to note that the cassation court does not reconsider the case on the merits but only reviews the correctness of the law application. Therefore, preparing a cassation appeal requires even more precise legal argumentation. If the same arguments already reviewed in the appeal are repeated, the complaint may be dismissed without substantive consideration.

There are also limitations regarding the evidence that can be submitted during the appeal or cassation stages. As a general rule, higher courts do not accept new evidence unless it was not provided earlier due to valid reasons. Hence, compliance with procedural rules is critical for an effective appeal.
ConclusionAppealing decisions in criminal cases is an effective mechanism for protecting human rights in the event of an unlawful or unfair conviction. To achieve results, it is essential to follow deadlines, procedures, and present clear legal arguments to the court. The Consultant legal marketplace will help you find an experienced lawyer who will assist you at every stage of the appeal process.