What constitutes valid grounds for an appeal in the legal system?

An appeal of the law is considered valid grounds for an appeal in the legal system because it involves challenges to how the law was applied during the trial. This can include issues such as improper jury instructions, incorrect application of legal standards, or the admission or exclusion of evidence that affects the outcome of the case. The appellate court reviews these legal issues to determine if any legal errors occurred that could have affected the verdict or the sentence.

While new evidence can sometimes be a basis for post-conviction relief or other remedies, it typically does not form the basis for a standard appeal—that process generally focuses on the record of the trial and the application of law, not new facts that were not presented during the initial trial. Public opinion does not constitute a legal ground for appeal because the judicial process relies on the rule of law and evidence presented in court, rather than societal views or sentiments. Appeals based merely on the facts, as opposed to legal grounds, are also not sufficient, as appeals primarily focus on legal errors rather than disputes over the factual determinations made by a jury or judge.