Maryland Criminal Appeals
Experienced Appellate Attorney

Free Initial Consultation: (301) 474-5550

The Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold represents clients throughout the state of Maryland in appeals of criminal court convictions. We will thoroughly examine your case for potential grounds for reversal.

Richard P. Arnold has practiced law for more than 35 years. His criminal defense practice represents clients throughout Maryland against any criminal charges. We can meet clients in four locations, including offices in Greenbelt, Upper Marlboro, Rockville, and Annapolis.

The Maryland Criminal Appeals Process

Mr. Arnold has handled dozens of appeals of criminal convictions before Maryland’s courts. Most of these are de novo appeals. Appeals of Circuit Court convictions are usually heard by a 3-member panel of judges in the Court of Special Appeals. If that court does not rule in the client’s favor, we can request the Maryland Court of Appeals hear the case.

Mr. Arnold has successfully appealed cases, or assisted in such cases, to the Court of Appeals, Maryland’s highest court. As a former Assistant State’s Attorney, he is familiar with how the prosecutor’s office will respond in briefs to the appeals court.

When we appeal a conviction or sentencing, the appellate court does not re-try the case or hear new evidence, but considers whether the Trial or Sentencing Judge made a ruling or rulings that were unfair to the defendant. The appeals court does not proclaim you “innocent,” but rather, if it determines the trial court erred, a new trial or a new sentencing hearing may be ordered or the case dismissed. If a new trial is granted, new evidence or witnesses can be presented at that time and the Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold will prepare an appropriate defense.

Grounds for Appeal

There are many reasons why an initial court trial may have been unfair to you or your family member:

• Judicial error – The judge gave improper jury instructions, allowed hearsay or other inadmissible evidence, excluded evidence that should have been admissible, put undue pressure on the jury for a verdict, or improperly failed to declare a mistrial.
   
• Prosecutor misconduct – Discrimination in jury selection, improper arguments before the jury, withholding of exculpatory evidence, or witness tampering.
   
• Ineffective Assistance of counsel – The trial lawyer failed in his or her duty to provide a professional defense, by inadequate preparation, exclusion of witnesses or facts, or other incompetence.

Mr. Arnold can determine if you have grounds for appeal and advise you on how to proceed. Contact a Maryland criminal appeals lawyer with theknowledge and experience to mount an appeal of your criminal conviction. We offer free consultations, with evening and weekend appointments available.

Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold – Call (301) 474-5550The Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold provide criminal defense to citizens throughout Maryland. We have offices in Prince George’s County (Greenbelt and Upper Marlboro), Montgomery County (Rockville), and Ann Arundel County (Annapolis). We welcome residents of Charles, Frederick, Queen Anne, Worchester, Howard, and Baltimore counties, and all Maryland, including Bethesda, Hyattsville, Silver Spring, Glen Burnie, Ellicott City, La Plata, and Baltimore.