Criminal Appeals Attorney in Newport Beach

A Second Look At Your Conviction From A Seasoned Criminal Defense Team

A guilty verdict or harsh sentence can leave you feeling like the system has already decided your future. If your case began in a court serving Newport Beach or elsewhere in Orange County and you are now considering an appeal, you are in a narrow time window where the right legal help matters. 

At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we focus our practice on criminal defense, and our attorneys handle criminal appeals and post-conviction review for clients who want a careful, independent look at what happened at trial. With more than 100 years of combined criminal defense experience and a collaborative approach to complex cases, we work to turn a stressful situation into a clear plan of action.

Our role is to step in after a conviction or sentencing, explain your options in plain language, and evaluate whether there are legal issues that could be raised on appeal or through other post-conviction procedures. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 so that you and your family can speak with our criminal appeals attorney in Newport Beach.

A trial error shouldn't be the final word in your case. Speak with a Newport Beach appeals lawyer who brings the perspective of a former prosecutor to your defense. At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we offer free consultations and a legacy of legal excellence. Call (949) 251-0330 or reach out online today.

Understanding the Appellate Process in California

An appeal is fundamentally different from a trial. It is not a "re-do" of your case where new evidence is presented or witnesses are called to testify. Instead, it is a formal review of the existing trial record to determine if legal mistakes were made that prejudiced the outcome.

Under the California Rules of Court (Title 8), the process is initiated in the California Courts of Appeal. If you were convicted or received an adverse judgment in the Orange County Superior Court, your case would typically be heard by the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The court’s primary function is to ensure that the trial judge applied the law correctly and that your constitutional rights were upheld.

Our attorneys review convictions arising from a wide range of charges. These include violent offenses, theft, white collar crimes, sex offenses, drug trafficking, RICO cases, and DUI matters. Serious cases often involve multiple legal questions that can lead to an appeal or to other forms of post-conviction relief. We strive to give you a realistic assessment. 

Critical Deadlines: The Notice of Appeal

In California, the clock starts ticking immediately after a judgment is rendered. Missing an appellate deadline is almost always fatal to your case, as the court generally lacks the authority to grant extensions for filing the initial notice.

• Felony Appeals: You must file a Notice of Appeal within 60 days of the date of the judgment or order.
• Misdemeanor Appeals: You have a much shorter window of 30 days to file.
• Civil Appeals (Unlimited): Generally, the deadline is 60 days after being served with a "Notice of Entry" of judgment.

At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we provide 24/7 availability to ensure that these critical windows do not close. If you have just received an unfavorable verdict, contacting us immediately allows our team to preserve your right to appeal while the trial details are still fresh.

Common Grounds for a Criminal Appeal

As former prosecutors, we know where the state is most likely to make mistakes. Common issues we raise in the California Court of Appeal include:

• Instructional Error: The judge gave the jury incorrect or misleading legal instructions.
• Evidentiary Errors: The court allowed prejudicial evidence that should have been excluded or blocked evidence that was vital to your defense.
• Prosecutorial Misconduct: Improper comments made by the prosecutor during closing arguments or the withholding of "Brady" evidence (evidence favorable to the defendant).
• Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Proving that the trial attorney's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and prejudiced the case.
• Sentencing Errors: Challenging the application of California’s complex sentencing enhancements or the "Three Strikes" law.

Understanding The Criminal Appeals Process

A California criminal appeal usually begins by filing a notice of appeal in the trial court shortly after sentencing. Deadlines are brief and vary by case type, making prompt action essential. After filing, the appellate record is prepared, including transcripts, exhibits, and key rulings. Appellate counsel then closely reviews this record to identify potential legal errors.

After identifying issues, the appellate attorney drafts written briefs explaining the legal arguments and citing the record and applicable law. The prosecution responds, and some cases include oral argument before the appellate court. Possible outcomes range from affirming the conviction to ordering a new trial or resentencing. Appeals often take many months, depending on complexity and court workload.

Because appeals focus on written records and legal analysis, experience and attention to detail are critical. Attorneys with extensive trial and appellate backgrounds understand how trial decisions can raise appellate issues. The goal is to guide clients through the process clearly, explaining each stage so they know what to expect and how their case is progressing.

Standards of Review: How Appeals are Won

Appellate courts do not re-weigh evidence or decide if a witness was lying. Instead, they apply specific "Standards of Review" to the trial court's actions. Our firm focuses on identifying the most viable grounds for reversal, which usually fall into three categories:

• De Novo Review: Used for "pure questions of law," such as the interpretation of a statute or a constitutional right. Under this standard, the appellate court gives no deference to the trial judge's decision and looks at the issue anew.
• Abuse of Discretion: This standard applies to the judge’s procedural rulings, such as whether to admit certain evidence or allow a specific witness. We must prove the judge’s decision was "arbitrary, capricious, or exceeded the bounds of reason."
• Substantial Evidence: This is a high bar used to challenge the factual findings of a jury. We must prove that no "reasonable" trier of fact could have reached the same conclusion based on the evidence presented.

Why Choose Our Team To Handle Your Criminal Appeal

Choosing an attorney for a criminal appeal often feels like trusting someone with a final opportunity for relief. Our firm focuses on serious, high-stakes criminal and appellate cases, using a collaborative team approach rather than a single perspective. By reviewing each record together, our attorneys identify and evaluate potential appellate issues from multiple angles before deciding the strongest arguments to pursue.

Our team brings deep experience and recognized credentials to criminal appeals. Members include former prosecutors, attorneys admitted to federal appellate courts, and lawyers widely honored by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and peer organizations. Active leadership roles in respected legal associations reflect the confidence of colleagues and help explain why clients rely on our team for complex and challenging appeals.

When reviewing a conviction or sentence, our team gathers and analyzes the full court record to identify potential legal issues, drawing on collaborative insights from attorneys with prosecution, trial, and appellate experience. We then develop a focused appellate strategy, clearly explain options and limits, and maintain ongoing communication with clients and families throughout briefing, hearings, and case developments.

What To Do After A Conviction Or Sentence

The period immediately after a conviction or sentencing hearing can feel chaotic. You may be taken into custody, or you may return home under new conditions, all while trying to process what happened. In the middle of this, deadlines for filing a notice of appeal begin to run. Taking a few concrete steps can help protect your rights while you decide how to move forward.

Consider taking these actions as soon as you can:

• Gather copies of important documents, such as the verdict forms, sentencing order, and any written plea agreements or conditions you received in court.
• Write down your recollection of what happened at key hearings, including any rulings that felt unfair or confusing, while the details are still fresh in your mind.
• Avoid trying to contact the judge or prosecutor directly about your case, and be cautious about discussing the details of your conviction with people who are not your legal counsel.
• Speak with a criminal defense firm that handles appeals as quickly as possible so that you understand the applicable deadlines and what options may exist.
• If a loved one is in custody, you can contact an appeals attorney in Newport Beach families trust on their behalf to start the process of gathering information and records.

At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, we offer free consultations to discuss your situation, and we are available 24/7 so that you do not have to wait for regular business hours to get answers to urgent questions. Our goal is to give you clear information about next steps so that you can make informed decisions about whether to pursue an appeal or other form of post-conviction review.

Talk With Our Appeals Attorney in Newport Beach About Your Case

At Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC, our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined criminal defense experience, former prosecutor insight, and a collaborative approach to the work of reviewing convictions and sentences. We focus our practice on criminal defense, and we offer free consultations and 24/7 availability so that you can reach us when it matters most. 

Whether you are in custody or supporting a family member from home, we are here to listen, explain your options, and help you take the next step.

To discuss your situation with our appeals attorney in Newport Beach and learn more about potential appellate options, call (949) 251-0330 or reach out online today.