NCJ Number
111968
Date Published
1988
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This study of criminal appeals in Hawaii determines who is appealing and why and examines the effect of appeals on the outcome of criminal cases.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 258 appeal cases docketed with the supreme court in 1984. Data were obtained from appellate court records. Trial court and offender data were obtained from appropriate information systems and trial court records. Defendant typically appealed a conviction or sentence on arguments based on the improper admission of evidence, error in using a law, error in giving instructions to the jury, unsupported conviction, or ineffective counsel. The defendant's chance of winning an appeal, however, were slight. The defendant was typically male, white, under 30 years old, and convicted of a felony. Drug offenses, drunk driving, murder, and robbery accounted for almost half the offenses. Overall, the rearrest rate for defendants involved in appeals was relatively low. The appeals process extended a criminal case by an average of 1 year and 3 months. 31 notes.