Top West Blocton, AL Appellate Lawyers Near You

Civil Case Appeals

If you’ve been found liable or at fault in a civil trial you may have the right to appeal the judge or jury’s decision. This is a tricky process that its usually handled by a West Blocton attorney skilled in this particular field of law.

Civil Appellate Lawyers

A Civil Appellate Lawyer will review your first court case to determine whether a mistake was made that would render the first outcome unjust. The appeal is not a retrial, but rather a review of the procedure and law practiced during the first case.

You may be able to fight a judgment without filing an appeal by way of a Motion. Common motions include the motion for reconsideration, application for renewal, motion for new trial, and motion to vacate or set aside the judgment. The laws and rules in your area may vary.

Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

• How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
• What is the likely outcome for my case?

In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.

What to Expect from an Initial Consultation

• Seek to determine whether the attorney can represent you. There is no one-size-fits-all legal solution and it may turn out your needs are better served by an attorney in a different specialization.
• It’s important to find a legal ally who is both competent in the law and someone you can trust to protect your interests.
• Discuss how the practice’s billing works and discuss possible additional charges or fees that may arise during or after the resolution of your case.

An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.

Points to Consider Before Hiring a Lawyer

Experience. Regardless of the type of legal matter you need help with, an experienced attorney will usually be able to get you better results.

Competence. Determine an attorney’s expertise by asking about their track record for the issue you need help with resolving.

Fit. There are plenty of good attorneys out there; make sure you find one you are comfortable working with.

Common legal terms explained

Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.

Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.