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Criminal Defense

Criminal Appeals & Remedies in Chile

Nullity appeals and amparo against irregular detention or defective proceedings. These deadlines are measured in days, not weeks.

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Overview

What this involves

Chile's criminal system does not offer a general re-hearing of the facts on appeal. The principal remedy against a verdict is the nullity appeal, which attacks defects in the proceeding or in the application of the law — not simply a disagreement with how the evidence was weighed.

That makes appellate work a different discipline from trial work. It is a search through the record for the specific defect the law recognizes, under deadlines counted in days. If a judgment has just been handed down, the time to have it reviewed is now.

What we handle

Nullity appeals

Identifying and arguing the grounds recognized by law: infringement of rights during the proceeding, or erroneous application of the law affecting the judgment.

Amparo

The constitutional remedy against unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, which moves quickly when it applies.

Appeals against precautionary measures

Challenging pretrial detention, travel bans and other measures imposed at or after the initial hearing.

Second-opinion review

Reading a file run by other counsel to establish whether an appealable defect exists — before the deadline closes.

Enforcement-stage remedies

Issues arising after conviction, including the execution of the sentence and its conditions.

From anywhere

How we run this for a client abroad

Assessment first

You send the documents you have. We tell you what applies, what it costs and how long it takes — before you commit to anything.

Power of attorney

Granted at a Chilean consulate or apostilled where you live. It lets us act for you in Chile without you travelling.

We file, you get updates

Our attorneys handle the filings and appearances in Chile. You get plain-English updates at every stage.

FAQ

Appeals & Procedural Remedies — common questions

What English-speaking clients ask us most about this specific service.

How long do I have to appeal?

Days, not weeks — and the period runs from notification, not from when you decided to act. This is the most common reason we have to turn away appellate work. If a decision went against you, treat the review as urgent even if you have not decided whether to appeal.

Can I appeal simply because the verdict was wrong?

Not on that basis alone. The nullity appeal targets defects in the proceeding or errors in applying the law, rather than offering a fresh assessment of the evidence. The work is identifying which recognized ground your case actually fits — and being honest when none does.

Another lawyer handled the trial. Will you review it?

Yes, and we do it regularly. A second reading of the record with fresh eyes sometimes finds a defect that was not visible from inside the case. We will also tell you plainly if the appeal has no realistic prospect, rather than take the work.

What is amparo used for?

It is the constitutional remedy against unlawful or arbitrary detention and restrictions on personal liberty. It moves faster than ordinary appeals, which makes it the right tool in a narrow set of urgent situations — and the wrong one in most others.

Talk to a Chilean lawyer about appealing your case in Chile

Get an initial assessment in English — confidential, with no obligation.

Book your consultation now →

WhatsApp+56 9 5217 5304

Emailhola@oklegal.cl

HoursMon–Sat 09:00–20:00