Criminal Appeals

Conviction Isn’t Always The End

You’ve been convicted at trial. That doesn’t mean your case is over. Whether you believe the outcome was wrong or the process was flawed, you have the right to appeal your conviction and/or sentence. But an appeal isn’t about retrying the facts or re-arguing your innocence. It’s about something more precise—and often more powerful. An appeal focuses on whether the law was followed correctly. For active cases that have not been decided, visit our home page for more information. 

A Critical Review

Appellate courts don’t hear new evidence. Instead, they review the record from your trial to determine whether the judge made legal errors that affected the outcome. That might include improper admission or exclusion of evidence, incorrect jury instructions, or rulings that violated your constitutional rights. When those errors matter, the result can be a new trial or a meaningful reduction in your sentence.

Our Approach to Arkansas Criminal Appeals

At Ludwig Law Firm, we approach appeals the same way we approach every case: we prepare to win. Our attorneys bring decades of experience handling criminal appeals in Arkansas state courts, federal courts, and even before the Arkansas Supreme Court. We know how to identify the issues that appellate courts take seriously—and how to present them effectively. If your appeal has already been denied, or if you entered a guilty plea, you may still have options through post-conviction relief. These petitions often involve claims like ineffective assistance of counsel, where your trial attorney’s performance fell below legal standards and impacted the outcome of your case. But here’s the reality: post-conviction relief is difficult. 

Act Fast — Get An Attorney Hop On Your Case

There is no automatic right to an attorney, and the procedural rules are unforgiving. Missing a deadline or failing to properly raise an issue can end your claim before it’s ever heard. That’s why experience matters. Our team has handled post-conviction proceedings at both the trial and appellate levels across Arkansas and in federal courts. We understand how to navigate the complexity—and when a case is worth fighting. When the stakes are this high, you need a lawyer who Simply Wins.