Wyoming Appeals Lawyer 

Appellate courts are meant to hear errors in the application of law and process. This can cover a broad range of potential missteps, but there are three that tend to come up the most frequently…

Admissibility of Evidence

As part of the pre-trial motions, a judge must make a determination on what evidence can be presented and what cannot. The evidence a jury is able to see is often vital to the outcome of a trial. But what if the prosecution’s evidence was illegally obtained? 

An example might be a police search conducted without a warrant that finds illegal drugs. Without the physical evidence of the drugs, the prosecution’s case might be shaky, if non-existent. But if the defendant’s constitutional rights were violated in getting that evidence, then the law says it should not be admitted in court. If the evidence is still admitted that decision can be the basis for a defendant’s appeal if convicted .

Incompetent Counsel

Lawyers aren’t expected to be perfect, and simple disagreement on strategy and tactics doesn’t render a conviction appealable. But what if the defense counsel failed to meet any reasonable definition of competent? What if they neglected to call important witnesses or introduce important evidence? An appeals court might conclude that the defendant’s rights under the Sixth Amendment—the right to effective counsel---was not present. And an Wyoming appeals lawyer can seek to have the conviction vacated on these grounds. 

Lack of Sufficient Evidence

Juries are given wide discretion in the verdicts they come back with. But what if a guilty verdict is so egregious, based on the evidence that was presented, that it’s difficult to see how any person thinking reasonably and fairly could have reached such a conclusion? Jurors are human like the rest of us, and it might be argued that they let emotions cloud their reason, and to seek an overturn of the conviction on that basis. 

Furthermore, the judge in a criminal trial is tasked with giving appropriate jury instructions, so jurors understand the legal boundaries within which they must stay. Failure to give the proper instruction can itself be grounds for appeal. 

The Lawyer Who Teaches Other Lawyers

R. Michael Vang P.C. has fought for defendants in criminal cases and appeals for over 27 years. He has practiced in both state and federal courts—places where procedures and guidelines are different, and where experience matters. He is licensed to argue in the federal Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that covers Wyoming, and in the ultimate appellate court—the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Attorney Vang’s extensive experience has led to him being called upon to teach classes to other defense lawyers. When you or someone you love is fighting for freedom and reputation, turn to the attorney that other attorneys trust to teach them. Turn to R. Michael Vang P.C.