'A convict who complains about the unfairness of his or her trial is less likely to succeed on Appeal, since they are challenging the integrity of the legal system'.... Where does this come from? Have you anything factual, Hal, or is it all 'most likely'? If someone said to me, "well, I've recieved 26 years for my crime, the trial was conducted correctly and was fair", I'd be inclined to take that as an admission of guilt. Surely it's the sentence she's appealing having resigned herself to the fact.