how long does an appeal take?

[lorna]

hi my partner has just been sentenced to 2 tear for violent disorder even though he was just with the group who committed it the judge still sent him to prison his barrister put in an appeal right away and today he signed the appeal forms as he had to do that within 28 days..does anybody know how long all this takes and what might be knocked off his sentence if appeal goes well? this is a non violent man with no previous convictions? please help

[Rights Fighter]

Is he appealing sentence or convictions, or both?

[lorna]

he is appealing against sentence as his barrister said the judge was to harsh and labelled him the same as the others in the group they have classed my partner in prison as a cat d prisoner and his pre sentence report classed him as very low risk and probation recommended a non custodial sentence but like i said the judge sentenced them as a group and im not just saying it because im his partner this is a non violent family man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time,im just praying this appeal works and wondering how long it all takes and what might be knocked off his sentence

[Rights Fighter]

Nobody here can tell you what might be knocked off the sentence as we do not know anything about the case or seen any paperwork.

This sounds like he was convicted under "joint enterprise" law. Why is he not trying to appeal the conviction?

[lorna]

to be honest i dont know why! will ring solicitors monday and find out why not! they said they were appealing for reduction of sentence as they said he should of walked free from court and got probation community service ect it was as much as a shock to his barrister as it was to me..i used to think everyone in prison deserved to be there but since this happened to us and reading things on sentences ive changed my mind

[Rights Fighter]

Appeals against sentence are usually fast-tracked so could be a couple of months or so.