Jaran R. Blessing
Attorney
New Hampshire Appeals and Appellate Practice
When a judgment, conviction, sentence, or important order needs appellate review, Runyon Law Office can help evaluate whether an appeal may make sense.
An appeal is not simply another chance to try the same case again. In most matters, the appellate court reviews what happened below and asks whether a legal error, preserved issue, or constitutional problem justifies relief. That makes early review important. The record, the order or sentence, the issues preserved below, and the applicable deadline all matter.
Runyon Law Office handles New Hampshire appellate matters as a team. Jaran R. Blessing and Jacqueline M. Blessing review civil appeals, criminal appeals, and post-conviction issues for clients across New Hampshire.
Free Appellate Screening Call
We begin with a free appellate screening call. The purpose of that call is not to promise an appeal or give a full legal opinion. It is to understand the kind of case, the court involved, the date of the order, judgment, conviction, or sentence, and whether a deadline may be approaching.
If the matter appears potentially viable, we may offer a flat-fee preliminary record review, often starting at $250. That review typically results in a short written assessment addressing whether an appeal may make sense, what additional materials may be needed, and what next steps should be considered. Full appellate representation, transcript review, briefing, and oral argument are quoted separately.
What We Look For
Appellate review usually begins with the record. Depending on the case, that may include the order being challenged, docket entries, pleadings, motions, objections, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing materials, or post-trial filings.
The central question is not whether the result was disappointing. The question is whether there may be an appellate issue worth pursuing. If the preliminary record review identifies a potentially viable appellate issue, we will say so. If the record is incomplete, we will explain what additional materials may be needed. If an appeal does not appear promising, we will give that assessment directly and respectfully.
Civil and Criminal Appeals
Our appellate section is organized around three related areas:
- Civil Appeals in New Hampshire for judgments, orders, business disputes, real estate disputes, probate-related disputes, trust matters, and other civil cases.
- Criminal Appeals in New Hampshire for direct appeals after conviction, sentencing issues, preserved trial errors, and constitutional questions.
- Post-Conviction Relief in New Hampshire for matters such as ineffective assistance of counsel and other issues that may require review beyond a direct appeal.
Deadlines in appellate matters can be short. In many New Hampshire Supreme Court matters, a 30-day deadline may apply, but timing depends on the type of case, the order being reviewed, and whether other motions have been filed. If you are thinking about an appeal, it is usually better to contact an attorney promptly rather than wait until the deadline is close.
Work with the attorneys who handle this area
Jacqueline M. Blessing
Attorney
Related services
Civil Appeals
We help New Hampshire clients evaluate whether a civil appeal may be worth pursuing after an unfavorable result.
Criminal Appeals
We help people and families understand whether a New Hampshire criminal appeal or post-conviction matter may warrant further review.
Post-Conviction Relief
We help review New Hampshire post-conviction issues, including ineffective assistance of counsel and other constitutional concerns.
Common questions
Practical answers to common questions
What happens during a free appellate screening call?
The screening call is a short first conversation about the type of case, the court involved, the date of the order or sentence, any known deadline, and the general issue you are concerned about. It is designed to decide whether a preliminary appellate review may make sense.
The screening call is not a full legal opinion and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If the matter appears potentially viable, Runyon Law Office may offer a flat-fee preliminary record review, often starting at $250.
What is a preliminary record review?
A preliminary record review is a limited review of the most important case materials available at the beginning of an appellate inquiry. Depending on the matter, that may include the order, judgment, conviction, sentence, docket entries, key motions, pleadings, or selected hearing materials.
The goal is to decide whether there appears to be a potentially viable appellate issue, whether more records or transcripts are needed, and whether full appellate representation should be discussed. It is not the same as preparing the appeal itself.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer about an appeal?
Promptly. Appellate deadlines can be short, and the correct deadline depends on the type of case, the order being challenged, and whether any post-trial motion was filed. In many New Hampshire Supreme Court matters, a 30-day deadline may apply, but you should not assume that every case follows the same path.
If you are thinking about an appeal, gather the order or sentence, the clerk's notice, docket information, and any post-trial filings, then contact an Appeals attorney as soon as possible.
Is an appeal a new trial?
Usually, no. An appeal generally asks a higher court to review what happened in the lower court based on the existing record. The appellate court usually does not hear witnesses again or take new evidence.
That is why the record matters so much. The appeal usually turns on the orders, motions, objections, transcripts, exhibits, and legal arguments that were already part of the case.
Who handles appellate matters at Runyon Law Office?
Jaran R. Blessing and Jacqueline M. Blessing handle appellate matters as a team. The firm reviews civil appeals, criminal appeals, and post-conviction relief questions in New Hampshire matters.
The first step is usually a free screening call to understand the type of case, timing, and whether a preliminary record review may be appropriate.
More questions about this area
We keep a broader set of practical questions organized by practice area, including appeals and appellate practice.
Statewide appellate review
Want to know whether appellate review may make sense?
We begin with a free screening call. If the matter appears potentially viable, we may offer a flat-fee preliminary record review and a short written assessment before any full appellate representation is quoted.