Writs in Criminal Cases

Appeals aren't the only way for criminal defendants to seek review by appellate courts: Writs can be invaluable tools, too.

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Criminal cases generally follow a linear path. For many defendants there's arrest, pretrial litigation, trial, then conviction. Then come the appeals. But writs provide another way for defendants to ask a higher court to step in, either during or after trial, and sometimes before.

Articles on Writs

Read here about criminal writs, including the writ of habeas corpus.

Criminal Writs
Writs involve review by appellate courts, but they're different than appeals.
The Writ of Habeas Corpus
Habeas corpus is a way for prisoners to challenge their convictions or conditions of confinement.
Habeas Corpus Procedure
In some ways, a petition for writ of habeas corupus is like an appeal—in others, it isn't.
Habeas Corpus and Innocence
Habeas corpus can provide an avenue for defendants to try to establish their innocence.
Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus FAQ
Here's some basic information about appeals and the writ of habeas corpus.