The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to appeal.

The best reason for an appeal is one most would accept, “Hey judge, I’m innocent and I can prove it.” A bunch of people have been released due to improved DNA testing which showed they did not do what they were convicted of. Others have simply had their guilt confirmed; even though they know they are guilty they appeal in hopes the evidence gets lost or tainted and then they can get off by not being able to challenge the evidence because it no longer exists.

From wikipedia: “An appeal as of right is one that is guaranteed by statute or some underlying constitutional or legal principle. ” There are other types of appeal too.

This means the result was reached by violating Constitutional rights. For example, evidence which should not have been admitted into trial violates due process (I think it is), a forced confession violates the right to not testify against ourselves, statements given after request for a lawer means they were deprived their right to legal representation. Confessions pulled out by torture violate Constitutional rights.

Inadequate counsel is a good one. It means, Yes I had a lawyer but he was too stupid or ignorant or apathetic to repersent my best interests.

and there is the excessive punishment appeal, “Yes, I did what I was accused of, but the punishment doesn’t fit my crime.” jaywalking getting a ten year sentence for example, spitting in public getting a hundred thousand dollar fine. You get the idea.

Another form of appeal is, “Yes, I did what you say and the punishment was just but please reduce my sentence or throw out my conviction because…” age, disability, hardship to family. Roman Polanski has been using a variation of this one when he says, “Hey man, I’m a great film director and even though I admitted I had sex with a 12 year old after giving her some booze and drugs, she liked it and I skipped out and it was a long time ago and you should just forget the whole thing and I’m famous and did I mention I’m a great film director????” He even has supporters, somehow.

And then there is the Presidential appeal, “Hey Prez, remember me? I donated ten million dollars to your party. Now’s the time to show your appreciation by throwing out my conviction.” This isn’t usually effective but President Clinton is accused of having granted an appeal for a pardon for such reasons.

Just because folks appeal–or ask–doesn’t mean they’ll get what they wanted, just that they want something different for themselves.