CALIFORNIA APPEAL

How Do I Find An Attorney?

How Do I Find An Appellate Lawyer?

It is important to be represented by an attorney with appellate experience and the skills to properly present arguments to the Court of Appeal.  Unfortunately, finding a good appellate attorney is not always easy. Here are some suggestions:

Referrals - Because the skills needed for trial work are very different from the skills needed for appellate work, your trial counsel will generally not handled your appeal; however, they may be able to suggest a competent appellate attorney.

Local Bar Association:  Many county bar associations operate lawyer referral services.  These services help connect people with attorneys qualified to handle their legal matter.   Check out the programs offered by the San Diego County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, San Francisco County Bar Association. 

Certified Legal Specialists — The State Bar maintains a list of attorneys who are certified specialists in particular areas of law. A list of Certified Legal Specialists can be found on the State Bar's Web site

When To File?

When Should I file An Appeal?
There are strict time limits for filing a notice of appeal. After a felony criminal conviction, a notice of appeal must be filed within 60 days from the judgment date.  Appeals in civil matters must be filed between 30 and 60 days from the judgment depending upon the type of civil matter.

Generally, once the time to file an appeal has passed, the Court will not permit a defendant to file a late notice of appeal. An exception to this general rule can exist in criminal cases where the time to file a notice of appeal passed despite te defendant's best efforts to file his/her appeal in a timely manner. 

If you or a loved one want to appeal a superior court judgment (criminal or civil), it is essential to act immediately to protect your appellate rights.  Consult with either your trial attorney or an appellate attorney to make sure that your notice of appeal is timely filed.