Right to Appeal

When someone determines that you are guilty of wrongdoing in the United States, generally, you have the right to appeal the charge. Any person convicted of a crime has an automatic right of appeal. And even in non-criminal charges such as academic dishonesty, you can usually have the decision reviewed.

Upholding the Charge

Don't expect a reviewing authority to take new evidence and allow new witnesses. In a criminal appeal, the appellate court generally only looks at the evidence presented to the lower court. You must argue that the lower court committed errors so severe that justice requires that the verdict be reversed. Typically, the court will uphold the charges against you, if it finds that the lower court's decision was adequately supported by the evidence.