criminal-law
What worst outcomes Derek Chauvin can expect on appeals?
<p>Will Derek Chauvin's situation get worse on unsuccessful appeals? Is there a rule, law, or reasons that prevent him from going deeper into the appeal process to gain a more favorable/lenient ruling?</p>

<p>He cannot be given a higher sentence because he appealed. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he will be in exactly the same legal position as if he had not appealed, aside from any legal fees an costs he may incur for the appeal.</p>
<p>The worst that could happen to Chauvin  at the end of the appeals process, is that all three convictions are upheld, which leaves him no worse off than if there had been no appeal.</p>
<p>However, if an appeal is successful, it will probably lead to a new trial. In general, when an accused person is retried after a successful appeal, there is the possibility of a worse outcome.  In this case, however, Chauvin was convicted on all counts charged, so the outcome could not get worse.</p>
<p>If Chauvin were to appeal and get a new trial, but be convicted in a new trial, he could in theory receive a larger sentence after the second trial. But since the charges would be the same, the range of possible sentences and the sentencing guidelines would be the same. Of course, no one yet knows what sentence the judge will impose after the current conviction.</p>
