"She guided me through the entire process and was incredibly thorough. She always had an answer for my questions and made me feel confident and positive."
Appealing a conviction or sentence in Alberta?
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Stacey Purser turns trial losses into second chances.
A conviction is not the end of the case. Appeal courts exist to correct errors, but the deadlines are measured in days, not months. Stacey reviews the trial record, finds the errors that matter, and argues appeals at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
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- 30-day deadlines. Act fast
- King's Bench and Court of Appeal
- Bail pending appeal available
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Trial and appeal defenceProvincial Court and Court of King's Bench
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Edmonton · Yellowknife · KelownaOffices across Western and Northern Canada
Read this before the deadline passes
If You Are Thinking About an Appeal
Appeal rights are measured in days. Four things to do right now:
1
Do not wait for the transcript
The appeal clock starts at conviction or sentence, not when the paperwork arrives. Start the review now.
2
Keep every document
Reasons for judgment, exhibits, release orders. The record of the trial decides what can be argued on appeal.
3
Stay off social media
Nothing about the case, the complainant, or the court online. An appeal is not a retrial, and new trouble sinks old arguments.
4
Get the deadline in writing
In most criminal appeals you have 30 days. Miss it, and you need the court's permission just to be heard.
What is at stake
A Conviction Is Not the Final Word
An appeal is a review of what happened at trial. If the judge made an error of law, if the verdict cannot be supported by the evidence, or if the sentence is unfit, a higher court can correct it. Appeals are argued on the record, which makes the quality of the written argument decisive.
- A new trial ordered, or an acquittal substituted
- A sentence reduced to one that is fit
- Bail while the appeal is heard
- Errors corrected before they follow you for life
Appeals have strict filing deadlines. The consultation costs nothing, and waiting is the one move that is always wrong.
| Appeal type | Where it is heard | Deadline to start |
|---|---|---|
| Summary conviction appeal | Court of King's Bench | As little as 30 days |
| Indictable conviction or sentence | Alberta Court of Appeal | As little as 30 days |
| Bail pending appeal | Alberta Court of Appeal | Apply immediately |
How we handle appeals
Appeals Are Won on the Record, Not at a Retrial
There is no new evidence and no second kick at the can in most appeals. The work is disciplined, and most of it is written.
01
Record Review
We order the transcripts and review everything: what was said, what was ruled, and what the judge did with the evidence.
02
Grounds of Appeal
Appeals run on errors, not disappointment. We identify the grounds worth advancing: an error of law, an unreasonable verdict, a miscarriage of justice, an unfit sentence.
03
The Factum
The written argument carries the appeal. We draft factums that get to the point and back it with authority.
04
The Hearing
We argue before the Court of King's Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal, and we prepare you for what the panel will ask.
Why Purser Law
Serious Charges Deserve a Serious Defence
Led by Stacey Purser
Every file is led personally by Stacey Purser, known for meticulous preparation, straight answers, and strong advocacy in the courtroom. Her practice takes cases from trial through to the Court of Appeal.
Written advocacy
Appeals are decided on paper before they are decided in court. Our factums are built to be read, not skimmed.
A team on your file
More than one set of eyes on every case. Our lawyers and staff review the record, test the grounds, and prepare the argument together.
Discretion built in
These cases are personal before they are legal. Consultations are confidential, and every file is handled with care.
Local knowledge
We appear at the Edmonton Law Courts, the Court of King's Bench, and the Alberta Court of Appeal. We know how these courts work because we work in them.
Straight answers, fast
You will always know where your case stands and what happens next. In plain language, without waiting days for a call back.
Client reviews
What Clients Say About Working With Us
"Stacey and Catelyn were extremely detailed in my case. I got the best possible result ending with no criminal charges or record. Highly recommend this law firm."
"She was upfront about everything and kept me in the loop the whole time. If you ever need a lawyer, I highly recommend Purser Law."
Common questions
Your Questions, Answered Plainly
In most criminal cases, 30 days. Summary matters are appealed to the Court of King's Bench.
Indictable matters go to the Alberta Court of Appeal. If the deadline has passed, the court
can sometimes grant an extension, but it is never guaranteed. Call as soon as you start
thinking about it.
No. The appeal court reviews the record of the trial. New evidence is heard only in narrow
circumstances. Most appeals turn on whether the trial judge made an error of law or reached
a verdict the evidence cannot support.
Order a new trial, substitute an acquittal, or reduce a sentence. It can also dismiss the
appeal. A frank review of the record tells you which outcome is realistic before you spend
anything.
Often, yes. Bail pending appeal is a separate application. The court looks at the strength
of the appeal, whether you will surrender, and what the public interest requires. We apply
early.
No. A fresh set of eyes is often the point. We review the record independently and tell you
plainly whether there is something worth appealing.
From filing to hearing, most appeals take several months to over a year. Preparing the
transcripts is usually the slowest part. We map the timeline at the outset.
The consultation is free. Appeal costs depend on the length of the trial record and the
complexity of the grounds. We set out fees in writing before you commit to anything.
Free and confidential
The Deadline Is Already Running
Most appeal windows are 30 days from conviction or sentence. Extensions are possible but never promised. Tell us what happened at trial and a lawyer will contact you as soon as possible.
780-851-7435Call or text, any time. Urgent matters are answered around the clock.
Edmonton, Head Office: #200, 10237 104th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1B1
Yellowknife: 2nd Floor, Diamond Plaza, 5204 Franklin Ave., Yellowknife, NT X1A 1E2
Kelowna: #210, 347 Leon Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 6H9
Yellowknife: 2nd Floor, Diamond Plaza, 5204 Franklin Ave., Yellowknife, NT X1A 1E2
Kelowna: #210, 347 Leon Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 6H9
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