Jacqueline M. Blessing
Attorney
Statewide criminal appeal review
Criminal Appeals in New Hampshire
A criminal appeal may affect a person's liberty, family, employment, and future. Runyon Law Office reviews New Hampshire convictions, sentences, preserved trial issues, and constitutional questions to determine whether a direct appeal or another form of post-conviction relief may be appropriate.
Appeal deadlines can be short. Do not rely on this website to calculate your deadline.
A criminal appeal may affect a person's liberty, family, employment, and future. Runyon Law Office reviews New Hampshire convictions, sentences, preserved trial issues, and constitutional questions to determine whether a direct appeal or another form of post-conviction relief may be appropriate.
A direct appeal is not a new trial. It generally asks the appellate court to review the existing record for legal, procedural, evidentiary, sentencing, or constitutional error.
Direct Criminal Appeals
Direct criminal appeals may involve:
- evidentiary rulings
- search-and-seizure issues
- confrontation and trial rights
- jury instructions
- sufficiency of the evidence
- sentencing issues
- preserved constitutional claims
- plea-related issues when review is legally available
The strength of an appeal often depends on what was raised below, what the record shows, and what standard of review applies. A guilty plea may substantially limit the issues available on direct appeal. The plea documents, hearing transcript, sentencing record, and procedural history must be reviewed before advising whether an issue remains available for appeal.
In New Hampshire criminal appeals, timing can be especially important. New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 7 generally requires a notice of appeal within 30 days from sentencing or, in some circumstances, from the clerk's notice disposing of a timely post-decision motion. Other rules or procedures may apply. Do not rely on this website to calculate your deadline.
Constitutional Issues
Criminal appeal work often involves constitutional questions. That can include search and seizure issues, confrontation and trial rights, due process, jury instructions, sentencing concerns, plea issues, and whether counsel's performance affected the case in a legally meaningful way.
Not every constitutional concern presents a viable claim on appeal. The strength of an issue depends on the record, whether it was preserved, the applicable standard of review, and whether the alleged error could have affected the result.
Some ineffective-assistance claims depend on evidence outside the trial record and may be better addressed through post-conviction proceedings rather than direct appeal.
Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
Some criminal matters belong on direct appeal. Others may require post-conviction relief, especially where the issue depends on facts outside the trial record or concerns ineffective assistance of counsel. During an initial conversation and preliminary assessment, we can help identify which procedure may require closer review.
What the Court May Do on Appeal
Depending on the issue and procedural posture, an appellate court may affirm the decision, reverse it, order a new trial, require resentencing, or remand the case for further proceedings. The available remedy depends on the specific error and the governing law.
Direct Appeal and Sentence Review Are Different
Sentence review is a separate procedure with its own purpose and deadline. It is not an appellate hearing on the merits. A concern about the length or character of a sentence should be evaluated promptly to determine whether direct appeal, sentence review, or another procedure is implicated.
Information Families Can Gather
- Sentencing order and clerk's notice
- Docket number and court
- Name and contact information for trial counsel
- Plea or trial date
- Sentencing date
- Notice of appeal, if already filed
- Post-trial or reconsideration motions
- Known custody status and upcoming dates
Please share only basic, nonconfidential information during the initial screening. The firm may request records through an approved secure process after a conflict check.
Work with the attorneys who handle this area
Jaran R. Blessing
Attorney
Appeal services
Statewide New Hampshire Appeals
Runyon Law Office represents clients in New Hampshire civil and criminal appeals and evaluates post-conviction claims. We provide prompt deadline review, careful record analysis, focused written advocacy, and candid advice about the strengths and limitations of an appeal.
Post-Conviction Relief
Runyon Law Office evaluates New Hampshire post-conviction questions that may depend on facts, prior proceedings, or legal issues beyond the scope of a direct appeal.
Civil Appeals
Runyon Law Office represents appellants and appellees in New Hampshire civil appeals and provides preliminary assessments for parties evaluating whether to challenge or defend a judgment or reviewable order.
Common questions
Practical answers to common questions
Can I appeal after a criminal conviction in New Hampshire?
A direct criminal appeal may be available after conviction or sentencing, but timing and procedure are critical. The appeal usually focuses on legal errors, preserved trial issues, sentencing issues, constitutional questions, or other matters shown by the record.
If you or a family member is considering a Criminal Appeal, gather the sentencing order, docket information, plea or trial documents, and any paperwork from trial counsel, then seek review promptly.
Can sentencing issues be appealed?
Sometimes. Sentencing issues may raise questions for appeal depending on the sentence imposed, the arguments made below, the governing law, and the record from the sentencing hearing.
A preliminary review can help determine whether the concern sounds like a direct appeal issue, a post-conviction issue, or something that may require a different procedural approach.
What constitutional issues can come up in a criminal appeal?
Criminal appeals may involve constitutional questions such as search and seizure, confrontation rights, due process, jury instructions, plea issues, sentencing concerns, or whether trial counsel's performance affected the case in a legally meaningful way.
Not every constitutional concern becomes a viable appeal. The record, preservation of the issue, timing, and standard of review all matter.
What records matter in a criminal appeal?
Important records may include the conviction or sentencing paperwork, docket entries, indictments or complaints, plea paperwork, motions, objections, jury instructions, trial exhibits, and transcripts from trial, plea, sentencing, or motion hearings.
A Criminal Appeals review usually begins with the materials available now and then identifies what additional records may be needed before a more complete assessment can be formed.
What is the difference between a criminal appeal and post-conviction relief?
A direct criminal appeal usually reviews issues shown in the existing trial court record. Post-conviction relief may be considered when the issue depends on facts outside that record, such as certain ineffective assistance of counsel claims.
The right path depends on timing, the record, prior filings, and the kind of issue involved. The first step is often to request a brief screening and identify the key documents available for review.
Can I appeal after a guilty plea?
A guilty plea may substantially limit the issues available on direct appeal, but the answer depends on the plea documents, hearing transcript, sentencing record, motions, and procedural history.
Prompt review can help determine whether the concern involves direct appeal, a plea-related issue, sentence review, or a possible post-conviction procedure.
Is sentence review the same as a criminal appeal?
No. The New Hampshire Sentence Review Division describes sentence review as a separate proceeding about the appropriateness of a qualifying sentence, not an appellate hearing on the merits. A direct appeal focuses on legal or other reviewable error shown by the record.
The procedures can have different purposes and deadlines. A sentencing concern should be evaluated promptly to determine which path may apply.
More questions about this area
We keep a broader set of practical questions organized by practice area, including criminal appeals.
Statewide appeal review
Talk with us about your appeal
We begin with a brief, no-charge conversation about deadlines and fit. If the matter appears appropriate for further review, we may offer a paid, limited assessment of the appeal before any full representation is discussed.