Can a convicted defendant or the District Attorney take a case to a higher court?

A defendant who is convicted by plea of guilty or convicted after trial may appeal his conviction, or sentence, or both, to an appellate court. If an appellate court affirms a conviction, the defendant loses his appeal and his conviction and sentence are not disturbed. If an appellate court reverses a judgment of conviction, the defendant can either withdraw his guilty plea or receive a new trial, or, the verdict or plea may stand, but the defendant can be resentenced.


The District Attorney may not appeal an acquittal after trial. The District Attorney may appeal a dismissal by a judge that occurred before a trial has begun, or a ruling by a judge that renders the District Attorney unable to prosecute a case based on that ruling. The District Attorney may also appeal an illegal sentence.

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1. What types of offenses are there in New York?
2. What happens when someone is arrested?
3. What is the function of the District Attorney?
4. What is an arraignment?
5. What is bail and how is it set?
6. What happens to a misdemeanor or violation case after arraignment?
7. What happens to a felony case after arraignment?
8. Are grand jury proceedings open to the public?
9. What happens after a grand jury votes an indictment?
10. What is a trial?
11. What are the stages of a trial?
12. What types of sentences may be imposed if a person pleads guilty or is found guilty after a trial?
13. Can a convicted defendant or the District Attorney take a case to a higher court?