Final answer:
New lawyers might file an appeal based on various grounds such as errors in the trial process, including inadequate legal representation or violation of due process rights. The outcome of an appeal can range from a new trial to exoneration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question refers to the appeal process undertaken by lawyers in a legal case, which likely pertains to the law surrounding civil rights and due process. Although no specific person named Cotton is mentioned in the provided references, in general, new lawyers may file for an appeal if they believe that there were legal errors in the original trial that affected the outcome. Appeals can be based on various constitutional grounds, such as inadequate legal representation or a violation of due process rights, as was the case for the Scottsboro Boys, and Gideon whose appeals were based on the Fourteenth and Sixth Amendments respectively.
An appeal is a request made to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court. The results of an appeal can vary, including the possibility of a new trial, a change in the sentence, or even exoneration if new evidence like DNA proves innocence, as was the case with Ronald Cotton.