What happens when you appeal a judge's decision?

Asked by: Andrew Conroy  |  Last update: April 15, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (20 votes)

Appeals are decided by panels of three judges working together. The appellant presents legal arguments to the panel, in writing, in a document called a "brief." In the brief, the appellant tries to persuade the judges that the trial court made an error, and that its decision should be reversed.

What are the odds of winning an appeal?

What are my chances of winning on appeal? Most appeals are not successful. For example, the California courts of appeal will reverse the judgment in civil appeals only about 20 percent of the time. An appellant in a civil case therefore has a one-in-five chance of winning, in general.

What happens when a court decision is appealed?

The higher court, which may be called a court of appeals, appellate court, or supreme court, looks at the “record,” which includes the transcript, evidence, and documents from the trial court, and decides if the judge made certain mistakes that must be corrected.

How often are appeals successful?

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) found that nearly 15% of state-level criminal appeals nationwide were successful in getting a court's decision overturned in 2015. More recent data from the Judicial Council of California finds a similar success rate in criminal and civil appeals in the state.

What are the three possible outcomes of an appeals court decision?

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.

Can I Appeal A Judge's Decision On My Case?

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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.

Who can overrule a judge?

Most federal court decisions, and some state court rulings, can be challenged. The U.S. courts of appeals usually have the last word. The nation's 94 federal judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a court of appeals.

Is an appeal worth it?

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.

Why is it so hard to win an appeal?

Because the trial judge has the opportunity to directly observe the evidence through witness testimony and documents, photos, etc., most appellate courts will very rarely second guess a judge's factual findings. Therefore, a trial judge's factual error is the most difficult to establish on appeal.

What is the key to a successful appeal?

Focus on building a compelling but accurate narrative

Creating a compelling yet accurate narrative in your appeal brief is essential to understanding how to win an appeal. Your narrative should clearly outline your argument and show why the original decision needs review or reversal.

How much does a lawyer charge for an appeal?

While there is no such thing as an “average” appeal, a litigant should not expect to pay less than $15,000 unless the issues are simple and limited in number. For complex cases, fee amounts of $20,000 to $35,000 are not uncommon.

What is the best way to win an appeal?

How To Win An Appeal In Court: 6 Steps for Legal Success
  1. Step #1: Choose an Appellate Attorney. ...
  2. Step #2: File a Notice of Appeal. ...
  3. Step #3: Review the Record on Appeal. ...
  4. Step #4: Prepare & File Your Brief. ...
  5. Step #5: Oral Argument. ...
  6. Step #6: The Decision. ...
  7. You Need an Experienced Criminal Appeals Attorney to Win Your Appeal.

What is your only chance if you lose in the court of appeals?

Ask the Appellate Court to Review Your Lost Appeal

If you are not comfortable with allowing the decision of the appellate court to stand, you can file a petition for a rehearing on the issue.

How do most appeals reach the court?

Most appeals come from federal courts. They can come from state courts if a case deals with federal law. Rarely, the Court hears a new case, such as one between states.

How long does it take to perfect an appeal?

An appellate court may issue its opinion, or decision, in as little as a month or as long as a year or more.

Can an appeal make things worse?

Sometimes an appeal can make things worse. For example, a losing appeal might create a precedent that costs the appellant more in the long run. Moreover, an appellate win can be costly if a new trial ultimately results in a larger verdict.

Can a judge refuse to look at evidence?

Lawful suppression of evidence means the judge rejects the use of the evidence in the court because they think that the evidence may be inadmissible due to a violation of the Constitution or other statutes that permit the evidence to be excluded.

What happens if an appeal is denied?

If a Court of Appeals decision is not unanimous, the losing side has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court. If the case involves a “substantial constitutional question” that has not already been decided by the Supreme Court, the losing side has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Do you get the same judge when you appeal?

If the case does go back to a different judge, it is usually because a judge has retired, and another judge has been assigned to the case. But you really should not hold out hope that a different judge will be on the case. You must be prepared to deal with the same judge after you went on appeal.

What are the consequences of an appeal?

Appeals are complicated and sometimes result in the case going back to the trial court. A specific conviction may be reversed, a sentence altered, or a new trial may be ordered altogether if the Appeals Court decides that particular course of action.

What if a judge is unfair?

If a ruling has already been made in your case, and you and your legal representation feel the judge's biases have impacted the decision, you can file an appeal to have the case elevated to a higher court.

How do you ask a judge to reconsider a decision?

Any party who has appeared in the proceeding, or SBA, may request reconsideration by filing with the Judge and serving a petition for reconsideration on all the parties to the appeal within twenty (20) calendar days after service of the written decision.

Who is the boss over a judge?

Lower courts typically answer to higher courts and the highest court (usually the supreme court), does not answer to anyone. The AG's office is a separate branch of government and would have power over judges typically.

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.