South Carolina Appellate Law Lawyers
A respected appellate judge in South Carolina wrote in a 1984 decision: "Appellate courts in this state, like well-behaved children, do not speak unless spoken to and do not answer questions they are not asked." In an appeal in state or federal court, your lawyer must know what know what questions to ask, how to ask those questions and how to formulate legal arguments that will lead to the desired answer.
Appeals require a different set of skills than trying a case in the courtroom before a jury or effectively mediating a case. A successful appeal begins with the understanding that an issue or argument not raised in the trial court usually cannot be raised in the appellate court. A successful appeal requires researching and writing an appellate brief that is founded on extensive review of the trial record combined with solid legal arguments. The legal arguments should be logical, coherent and persuasive. The legal writing should be well organized, easy to read and technically perfect.
Further, unlike the trial court, written and verbal arguments are made to a panel of appellate judges instead of a jury. To succeed, a lawyer must understand that appellate arguments should be presented in a manner that a judge may find persuasive, which sometimes differs from the style and presentation used before a jury.
At Proffitt & Cox, in Columbia, South Carolina, we have the resources and experience to help our clients achieve their goals in a wide range of appeals, including appeals to the South Carolina Supreme Court, South Carolina Court of Appeals and United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We are available to collaborate with other attorneys who may send appeals to us on referral. One of our partners - David Proffitt - served as a law clerk for two justices at the South Carolina Supreme Court. His years of experience with the highest appeals court in the state gives him the in-depth knowledge and experience required for a successful appeal.
If You Are Considering an Appeal
If you are considering an appeal, it is important that you act quickly. Under South Carolina law, you only have a certain amount of time to preserve your right to appeal or it may be lost forever. Consult with us regarding your options as soon as possible. Contact Proffitt & Cox, LLP, Attorneys at Law, by calling (803) 834-7097 in Columbia or toll free nationwide (877) 276-0533, or complete our contact form to schedule an initial consultation.
