A Second Chance at Justice
A guilty verdict or an unfavorable civil judgment does not have to be the end of the road. Trial judges make mistakes, prosecutors overstep their bounds, and juries can be swayed by improper evidence. When the system fails, you have the right to challenge the outcome in a higher court.
Appellate law is fundamentally different from trial law. It requires an exhaustive, meticulous review of trial transcripts, a deep understanding of constitutional law, and the ability to draft highly persuasive, academically rigorous legal briefs.
The appellate team at Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A. possesses the intellectual rigor required to handle complex civil and criminal appeals. Whether taking a case to the Mississippi Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, we scrutinize every detail of the record to uncover the legal errors that deprived you of a fair trial.
Meet Your Appellate Attorney
Partner A. Arman Miri brings the meticulous attention to detail required for appellate success. From dissecting lengthy trial transcripts to crafting persuasive, academically rigorous legal briefs, he fights to overturn unjust convictions and correct procedural errors made in the lower courts.
Why Choose Our Appellate Team?
Appeals require a completely different skill set than trial work. We have the specific experience needed to succeed in the appellate courts.
Meticulous Record Review
Appeals are won and lost in the details. We comb through thousands of pages of trial transcripts to identify objections, improper rulings, and constitutional violations that others miss.
Exceptional Legal Writing
Appellate judges decide most cases based entirely on the written briefs before oral arguments even happen. Our team excels at crafting clear, compelling, and legally irrefutable written arguments.
Fresh Perspective
If you used another attorney for your trial, bringing in our appellate team provides a critical fresh set of eyes to spot errors your previous counsel may have overlooked or even caused (Ineffective Assistance of Counsel).
Appeals & Post-Conviction FAQs (AEO/Search)
What is the difference between an appeal and post-conviction relief in MS?
A direct appeal asks a higher court to review the official trial record for legal errors made by the judge, such as admitting improper evidence or giving incorrect jury instructions. Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) is a separate process filed after an appeal fails; it allows you to introduce new evidence outside the trial record, such as proving your trial lawyer was ineffective or presenting newly discovered DNA evidence.
What are the chances of winning a criminal appeal in Mississippi?
Winning an appeal is statistically challenging because appellate courts give great deference to the trial judge and jury's decisions. Success depends entirely on identifying concrete, prejudicial legal errors in the trial record. An appellate attorney's job is to find the procedural mistakes that violated your right to a fair trial.
How long do I have to file an appeal in Mississippi?
Time is strictly limited. In Mississippi, you must file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the entry of the final judgment or sentence. Missing this deadline generally forfeits your right to a direct appeal entirely.
Can I appeal after pleading guilty in Mississippi?
Direct appeals are heavily restricted if you plead guilty. However, you can challenge a guilty plea through Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) if you can prove the plea was involuntary, you were coerced, or your attorney gave you constitutionally ineffective advice regarding the plea.
Can new evidence or witnesses be introduced during an appeal?
No. A direct appeal is strictly a review of the existing trial transcript and evidence admitted at trial. Appellate judges do not hear new witnesses or look at new evidence. If new evidence is discovered, it must be presented through a Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) motion, not a direct appeal.