Appeals of State convictions are normally heard by the next highest level court in that particular state. In New Jersey, this is the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. In Pennsylvania, this is either the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court depending on the situation. Criminal appeals in Pennsylvania are heard in the Superior Court. In either State, a further appeal may be taken to the State Supreme Court depending upon the circumstances.
After the state appellate process, you may be able to seek review in the federal courts, if you have exhausted state remedies on federal constitutional issues and you proceed within one year of the final decision, exclusive of tolled time. With appropriate legal guidance, your case could potentially be taken to the federal courts and effectively reversed even after it had been unsuccessfully litigated in the state appellate system.
To find out more about the Bahuriak Law Group's Appellate Practice, contact us at 215-413-1150 or contact us here.