An appeal can involve a challenge to either a conviction, a sentence, or both. Depending on the level of court your charges were initially heard in, you may appeal to the superior court (the Court of King’s Bench) or an appeals court such as the Court of Appeal of Alberta. In very rare and limited circumstances a further appeal could be made to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa.

In an appeal the appellate court reviews what happened at the lower court to ensure the lower court complied with the law and came to a reasonable or correct decision. The standard on which an appeal is decided varies depending on the nature of the appeal.