Author Archives: Alderman Law Firm

Is Counsel Required for a Colorado Appeal?

A party is permitted to represent himself or herself on appeal. Such a party is referred to as a pro se litigant. Courts do not provide special treatment to pro se appellants. They must comply with all filing requirements, formatting rules, and deadlines contained in the Colorado Appellate Rules. Some deadlines are jurisdictional, meaning the […]

Can You Add Evidence After Trial? Supplementing the Record on Appeal in Colorado

A familiar situation occurs shortly after a judgment enters. The hearing or trial is over. The court has ruled. Afterward, the losing party reviews the case more carefully and begins finding things that seem important. An email surfaces that contradicts a witness. A document appears that clarifies a contract term. Someone who did not testify […]

Do I need a tax appeals attorney to challenge my IRS Notice of Claim Disallowance?

Receiving an IRS notice of claim disallowance can leave you feeling overwhelmed, but having a tax appeals attorney by your side can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll explore the process of appealing an IRS decision and explain why enlisting the expertise of a tax appeals attorney is crucial every step of the […]

What is an insufficient evidence argument in a criminal appeal?

An insufficient evidence argument asserts that the evidence at trial was insufficient to convict the defendant of one or more charges because the prosecution did not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, one or more elements of those charges.

What is the criteria for a cert petition in Colorado?

A cert petition (petition for writ of certiorari) asks the Colorado Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state, to review the decision of the Colorado Court of Appeals. The criteria for filing a cert petition in Colorado may depend on the type of case and the court involved. In general, however, the […]

How do you preserve an issue for appeal in Colorado?

In order to make a legal argument on appeal, the issue must be preserved. The principal behind issue preservation is that the trial court should have an opportunity to correct its own errors before the appeals court steps in. Therefore, where an issue has not been preserved – i.e. not first brought to the attention […]

What the “Record on Appeal” Actually Is — and Why Appeals Are Decided There

A common reaction after a trial court loss is this: the party believes the appellate court will look at everything that happened and decide the case more carefully. They gather emails that were never offered at trial. They collect photographs. They prepare explanations of what a witness meant. They write a detailed narrative of what […]

Am I Entitled to a Hearing on My Colorado 35(c)?

After a Colorado criminal defendant has exhausted the direct appeal process, he may turn to filing a pro se motion for relief pursuant to Colo. Crim. P. 35(c). Often, this is where he alleges that his trial counsel was ineffective. Upon receipt of a 35(c) motion, the reviewing court must consider whether “the motion and […]