A criminal appeal is a legal process where a person convicted of a crime asks a higher court to review the decision made by a lower court. This process typically occurs when the convicted individual believes there were errors in the trial, such as improper evidence admission or incorrect jury instructions. The appeal does not involve a new trial but rather a review of the existing case records. During a criminal appeal, the appellate court examines the arguments presented by both the defense and the prosecution. The court can uphold the original decision, reverse the conviction, or order a new trial. This process ensures that legal standards are maintained and that justice is served.