Support When Your Sentence Feels Unfair Or Excessive
A criminal sentence can affect every part of your life, from your liberty and employment to your family and future prospects. If you feel that the sentence you received was too harsh, outside the guidelines, or imposed following a legal mistake, a sentence appeal may allow the court to reconsider the outcome. Our network of specialist appeal solicitors regularly reviews sentences and advises whether there is a realistic basis to challenge them.
An appeal against sentence focuses on whether the court applied the law and sentencing guidelines correctly, and whether the final sentence was proportionate to the offence and circumstances. This can involve looking at starting points, aggravating and mitigating features, credit for guilty pleas and any errors in how the sentencing judge approached the case. A careful review by an experienced appeal solicitor is often the first step in deciding whether you have arguable grounds to appeal.
How Our Sentence Appeal Solicitors Can Help
Assessing Whether a Sentence Is Manifestly Excessive
Not every severe sentence will succeed on appeal, but there are cases where the outcome is so harsh that the Court of Appeal may agree it is "manifestly excessive". Solicitors in our network carefully compare your sentence against similar cases and guideline ranges.
- •Reviewing sentence length against official guidelines and case law
- •Considering aggravating and mitigating factors that may have been overlooked
- •Advising whether the sentence appears outside the reasonable range
Advice On Guideline Errors And Starting Points
Sentencing judges are expected to follow relevant guideline ranges and starting points. If the wrong guideline was used, the category was misjudged or the starting point was too high, your sentence may be open to challenge.
- •Checking that the correct guideline and offence category were applied
- •Reviewing how harm and culpability were assessed by the judge
- •Identifying any miscalculations in the route to the final sentence
Drafting Advice And Grounds Of Appeal
Successful sentence appeals depend on clear, focused grounds that show the court where the original sentencing exercise went wrong. Your solicitor will set out any arguable points in a way that the Court of Appeal can properly consider.
- •Providing realistic written advice on the prospects of a sentence appeal
- •Drafting targeted grounds of appeal that focus on errors in principle or approach
- •Preparing supporting documentation to explain your personal mitigation
Urgent Time-Limit And Out-Of-Time Applications
Sentence appeals are subject to strict time limits. If you are approaching the deadline or have already missed it, you need urgent, specialist advice on how to proceed and whether to ask the court to extend time.
- •Rapid review of your case where deadlines are approaching
- •Preparing out-of-time applications with clear explanations for delay
- •Advice on the risks and merits of appealing late
How Our Sentence Appeal Solicitors Work With You
Focused Sentencing Expertise
Our network includes solicitors who regularly advise on sentencing law and appeal principles. They stay up to date with guideline changes and recent Court of Appeal decisions so your case is assessed against the latest position.
Straightforward, Practical Advice
You will receive clear explanations of what the court can and cannot do, the potential benefits of an appeal and any risks. That allows you to decide whether to proceed based on realistic expectations, not false hope.
Support At Every Stage
From the initial review and grounds drafting through to any hearing, your solicitor will guide you through the process and keep you updated in plain language.
Sentence Appeal Examples
Case Study: Manifestly Excessive Term
Our client received a custodial sentence significantly above the guideline range for a first-time offender. On review, the appeal solicitor identified that insufficient weight had been given to personal mitigation and the absence of previous convictions. Grounds were lodged arguing that the sentence was manifestly excessive.
Case Study: Wrong Guideline Applied
In another case, the sentencing judge had used a guideline intended for a more serious type of offending. The appeal team highlighted the error and showed how the correct guideline would have led to a lower starting point. The Court of Appeal agreed, substituted the correct approach and imposed a shorter term.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal my sentence?
In most cases, you have 28 days from the date of sentence to lodge an appeal. If that deadline has passed, an appeal may still be possible but you will need to apply for permission to appeal out of time and explain the delay. Early advice is very important where time limits are close.
Can the court increase my sentence on appeal?
In some circumstances, there is a theoretical risk that an appeal could result in the court considering whether the sentence was unduly lenient. Your appeal solicitor will explain any such risk in your case before you decide whether to proceed, so you are fully informed.
Do I need the same solicitor who represented me at sentence?
No. Many people choose a different solicitor for an appeal to obtain an independent view of the case. Our network includes firms who regularly take over matters specifically for sentence appeals and post-conviction work.