How does the appeal process work in California?
Asked by: Drew Raynor | Last update: August 12, 2025Score: 5/5 (32 votes)
You typically have 30 days after a misdemeanor judgment and 60 days after a felony judgment to file your Notice of Appeal. If you fail to meet the deadline for the Notice of Appeal in your case, then you may lose your right to appeal.
How long does the appeals process take in California?
Appellate Court Opinion: Once everything is submitted to the proper appellate court, a decision should be expected within three months. As explained by the California Courts, “the judges have 90 days from the date the case is submitted to decide the appeal.”
What percentage of appeals are successful in California?
Appealing Court Decision. Not every court order can be appealed and it is hard to win an appeal. In California, less than 20% of all civil appeals succeed in reversing the original ruling. The appeals process can take years and it can be expensive.
What are the 5 steps of the appeal process?
- Step 1: File the Notice of Appeal. ...
- Step 2: Pay the filing fee. ...
- Step 3: Determine if/when additional information must be provided to the appeals court as part of opening your case. ...
- Step 4: Order the trial transcripts. ...
- Step 5: Confirm that the record has been transferred to the appellate court.
What are the 4 stages of appeal?
There are four stages to the appeal process — reconsideration, hearing, council, and court.
How Does the Appeals Process Work?
What are the 3 possible outcomes of an appeal?
- Affirm the decision of the trial court, in which case the verdict at trial stands.
- Reverse the decision to the trial court, in which case a new trial may be ordered.
- Remand the case to the trial court.
What are the procedures for appeals?
1 To begin the appeal process against a decision of a magistrate, one must note the appeal. 2 An appeal is noted by delivery of a notice of appeal. 3 This notice must be delivered within 21 days of the date of judgment.
What is the best way to win an appeal?
- Step #1: Choose an Appellate Attorney. ...
- Step #2: File a Notice of Appeal. ...
- Step #3: Review the Record on Appeal. ...
- Step #4: Prepare & File Your Brief. ...
- Step #5: Oral Argument. ...
- Step #6: The Decision. ...
- You Need an Experienced Criminal Appeals Attorney to Win Your Appeal.
What happens after an appeal is denied?
A litigant who loses in a federal court of appeals, or in the highest court of a state, may file a petition for a "writ of certiorari," which is a document asking the Supreme Court to review the case.
How long does an appeal decision take?
For written representations appeals, the median number of weeks from an appeal being 'valid' to its Decision in December 2024 was 30 weeks for s78 planning appeals and 18 weeks for householder appeals. Enforcement appeals by written reps in December 2024 had a median timescale of 56 weeks.
Are appeals hard to win?
Either side can appeal in a civil case, while only the defendant may appeal in a criminal case. The government can only appeal the sentence, not the guilty verdict. The odds of decision reversals are particularly low—about one in four in civil cases.
How much does an appeal cost in California?
R. 8.100), the cost of filing a Notice of Appeal in an unlimited civil case is $775.00, unless otherwise noted by state law.
How many times can you appeal a case in California?
An adverse decision by an appellate court can be appealed a second time. The second appeal goes to the Supreme Court of California. However, it is important to understand that, unlike the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court is not required to hear every case. It can decline to review an appeal.
How often do appeals get accepted?
Most of the time, appeals are a long shot, meaning that they do not often end in favor of the party calling for the appeal. It's difficult to put a number on how many appeals are successful, but many court professionals estimate that fewer than one appeal out of 10 ends in favor of the appealing party.
How are appeals handled in California?
The first step is to file a Notice of Appeal with the trial court, which is typically at the courthouse where you were sentenced. The specific location where you file the notice may be different, depending on which county you appeal in. Do not submit your Notice of Appeal to the Appellate Court.
How often are appeals successful in California?
It is hard to win an appeal. In California, less than 20% of all civil appeals succeed in reversing the original ruling. That's because the law says the Court of Appeal must presume that the trial court's decision was correct – unless the appellant can prove the court was incorrect.
What happens if my appeal is refused?
If permission to appeal is refused at that stage, that is the end of the matter. One cannot take it further to the Supreme Court because you will have been refused twice – in the High Court and Court of Appeal. If permission is granted, the appeal will be heard, usually before a three-person court.
What three outcomes can happen when an appeal is made?
The appellate court will do one of the following: Affirm the decision of the trial court, in which case the verdict at trial stands. Reverse the decision to the trial court, in which case a new trial may be ordered. Remand the case to the trial court.
How does the appeal process go?
The appeals process does not involve a brand new court trial. Ask an appeals attorney to review a recent court trial's decision, then retain the lawyer to handle the appeals process if he or she believes you have grounds to do so and accepts your case. Your lawyer can then take over the legal process.
How likely are appeals successful?
The appeals process is often a drawn-out, sometimes arduous journey in seeking an overturned conviction or a reduced sentence. In California, fewer than 20% of appeals are successfully argued. The odds are increased when there are significant errors of law, such as misconduct by the jury or the prosecution.
What not to say in an appeal letter?
Don't clutter your letter with information or requests that have no essential connection to the main message. Threatening, cajoling, begging, pleading, flattery and making extravagant promises are manipulative and usually ineffective methods.
What makes a strong appeal?
Clear Appeal Grounds: Your reasons for the appeal, such as procedural errors or misinterpretation of law during the original trial, need to be legally sound. Courts look for clear mistakes that could have changed the trial's outcome.
How long should an appeal outcome take?
You should be informed of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible. It is unlikely that this will be immediately after the hearing, and you can usually expect a decision to be reached within a few days. This will usually be in writing.
What happens after an appeal is granted?
When an appellate court grants an appeal, it usually identifies specific errors that occurred during the original trial. In most cases, the appellate court will send the case back to the trial court with instructions on how to correct those mistakes. This process is known as “remanding” the case.
What do you need for a successful appeal?
- Choosing an attorney to handle your appeal. Not every trial lawyer can successfully handle appeals. ...
- Reviewing the Record on Appeal. Your attorney will obtain the Record on Appeal from the trial court clerk. ...
- Preparing and filing the opening brief. ...
- Oral argument.