Revision in criminal cases

In the event of a conviction by the regional court, the review of the judgement by way of an appeal is the only and last chance to escape a possible long prison sentence. However, the appeal courts, either the competent higher regional court or usually the Federal Court of Justice, only review the judgement in a strictly formalised procedure for any procedural errors ("procedural complaint") and errors in the application of the law ("substantive complaint"). The successful conduct of a criminal appeal therefore requires not only extraordinary legal knowledge, particularly in the area of procedural law, but also many years of practical experience in the application of the law and knowledge of the appellate court's judgement practice as well as a feel for the correct focus.