Before writing an appellate brief, a party should review the appellate record to understand the history and facts of the case, research the law, and decide what arguments to make and issues to raise. The appellant will want to argue why the lower tribunal ’s decision or judgment should be reversed (why the lower court “erred”).
The appellate party may not discuss in the brief any fact or circumstance that is not in the appellate record, such as events occurring after the order or opinion on appeal was entered, or documents or evidence he or she did not present to or file in the lower tribunal.
The appellee’s answer brief arguments respond to the argument issues raised in the initial brief. It often has the same or similar issue headings as the initial brief, to help the appellate court know which of appellant’s initial brief arguments the appellee’s answer brief is responding to.
The answer brief is the next brief. It is filed by the appellee within 20 days after the initial brief, again unless a motion for an extension of time is filed before the deadline. The answer brief responds to the arguments in the initial brief.
Evidentiary errors are subject to harmless error analysis, under Federal Rule of Evidence 103(a) ("Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is affected.") The general burden when arguing that evidence was improperly excluded or included is to ...
Jurisdictional statement is the section of an appellate brief that asserts the basis of appealability and the suitability of the court to hear the claim. It states the name of the trial court and the judge. It also contains the final judgment's date which is listed on the certificate of distribution.
Writs of Certiorari The primary means to petition the court for review is to ask it to grant a writ of certiorari. This is a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review.
The appellee, the party that won in the trial court, may file a brief, but is not required to do so. If the appellee files a brief, the appellant may file a reply a brief, a shorter brief that responds to the appellee's argument. Your brief must include an appendix that includes the order from which you have appealed.
Subject-matter jurisdiction is the requirement that a given court have power to hear the specific kind of claim that is brought to that court. While litigating parties may waive personal jurisdiction, they cannot waive subject-matter jurisdiction.
appellant's reply briefThe appellant's reply brief is the final brief of the appeal process. The reply brief is optional. The appellant's only job in the reply brief is to challenge the legal arguments in the respondent's brief.
The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Translated from Latin it means "show me the body." Habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument to safeguard individual freedom against arbitrary executive power.
While other Writs are issued in certain circumstances only, such as when a person is illegally detained (Habeas Corpus) or when there is overstepping of jurisdiction by a court (Certiorari), Mandamus can be issued in those cases where there is on the performance of duty the authority.
The denial of a Petition for Certiorari (aka Cert Petition) by the Supreme Court in a federal case means the decision of the Court of Appeals stands as the final decision. This does not mean that the Supreme Court agrees or disagrees with the decision of the Court of Appeals, only that the case will not be reviewed.
Legal briefs are used as part of arguing a pre-trial motion in a case or proceeding. Amicus briefs refer to briefs filed by persons not directly party to the case. These are often groups that have a direct interest in the outcome. Appellate briefs refer to briefs that occur at the appeal stage.
The party against whom an appeal is filed. The appellee usually seeks affirmance of the lower court's decision. By contrast, the appellant is the party who filed the appeal.
(1) the jurisdictional statement; (2) the statement of the issues; (3) the statement of the case; and (4) the statement of the standard of review. (c) Reply Brief. The appellant may file a brief in reply to the appellee's brief. Unless the court permits, no further briefs may be filed.
Appeal - An application to a higher court for review of an order of conviction or of a civil judgment against a party.
Appeal Bond - A sum of money posted by a person appealing a judicial decision (appellant). Appearance – (1) The formal proceeding by which a defendant submits to the jurisdiction of the court. (2) A written notification to the plaintiff by an attorney stating that s/he is representing the defendant.
Bail - Cash or surety posted to procure the release of a defendant in a criminal proceeding by insuring his/her future attendance in court, and compelling him/her to remain within the jurisdiction of the court.
Affidavit of Insolvency - A detailed form signed by the defendant, under oath, attesting to his/her indigency (inability to pay for private legal counsel).
Arrest Warrant – An order by a judge that gives permission for a police officer to arrest a person for allegedly committing a crime. Assault - Threat to inflict injury with an apparent ability to do so. Also, any intentional display of force that would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.
Amend – Improve, correct or change a complaint or other pleading. Amicus Curiae - A friend of the court. One not a party to a case who volunteers, or is asked by the court, to offer information on a point of law or some other aspect of the case to assist the court in deciding a matter before it.
Aid and Abet - To actively, knowingly or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime. Alford Plea - A plea to a criminal charge that does not admit guilt, but admits that sufficient evidence exists to obtain a conviction.
Appeal. A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal.". One who appeals is called the "appellant;" the other party is the "appellee.".
The party who opposes an appellant's appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court's decision. Arraignment. A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
Acquittal. A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction. Active judge. A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.
The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person's appearance in court when required. Also can refer to the amount of bond money posted as a financial condition of pretrial release.
Amicus curiae. Latin for "friend of the court.". It is advice formally offered to the court in a brief filed by an entity interested in, but not a party to, the case. Answer. The formal written statement by a defendant in a civil case that responds to a complaint, articulating the grounds for defense. Appeal.
Admissible. A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases. Adversary proceeding. A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a complaint with the court, that is, a "trial" that takes place within the context of a bankruptcy case.
Equitable. Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law.". In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy (see damages). A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something (e.g., injunction).
If a lawyer does not fulfill those obligations then a client might be able to seek recourse for the lawyer’s behavior.
An attorney must act with reasonable diligence and promptness when representing a client. To that end, the attorney must be careful not to have a conflict of interest in the matter or with clients. Further, the lawyer must consult with and reasonably inform the client of information related to the legal matter at hand.
A client, who believes that an attorney violated his or her ethical obligations, can file a disciplinary complaint against the attorney with the state bar disciplinary committee. Typically, this involves a hearing on the client’s complaint.
Most of the Rules of Professional Conduct use a reasonableness standard in order to determine if an attorney’s conduct is appropriate. Since an attorney is a professional, the question would be one of reasonableness for other professional attorneys.
An attorney has the responsibility to provide competent representation to each client. That means that the attorney must have the legal knowledge and skill to represent the client in a particular matter and be thorough in his or her legal preparation.
In most jurisdictions, attorneys are required to take and pass a Professional Responsibility Exam prior to being admitted to the bar. Upon admittance to the bar, attorneys agree to comply with the ethical requirements of their jurisdiction. Most attorneys uphold that promise.
Clients also have the right to pursue legal malpractice claims in court. If a client successfully proves that a lawyer was negligent or guilty of misconduct and that the client suffered monetary damages as a result then the client may recover those damages in a professional malpractice lawsuit.
Burden of proof: The burden of proof refers to the standard used to prove allegations in a court proceeding. The bar for this depends on the type of court proceeding.
summons: While both entail a requirement for the recipient to appear in court, a subpoena is a process that directs a witness to give testimony or submit evidence, while a summons is a document that orders a person to appear before the court in response to a complaint.
Case law is a way of citing legal precedent. Civil case vs. criminal case: The most commonly cited distinction between civil and criminal cases is that the latter are generally offenses ...
Affidavit: A term you’ve likely heard referenced often, an affidavit is simply a written or printed statement made under oath.
Probate: The process of administration of the estate of a dead person is referred to as probate. As such, the appropriate court for handling estate matters is called probate court. Quash: A motion to quash essentially asks the judge to annul or set aside a specific action.
jury trial: While a jury trial is exactly what it sounds like—a traditional court trial in which the case’s outcome is decided by a jury of peers—a bench trial is a trial in which the judge fulfills the role of the jury.
Recusal: A recusal is the voluntary action by a judge or prosecutor to remove themselves from presiding in a case. Recusals are often based on things like bias, conflict of interest or prejudice—for example, a state prosecutor may choose to recuse from a proceeding if the case is against their former employer.
Appellate Briefs. The main form of persuasion on appeal is the written appellate brief, filed by counsel for each party. With this brief, the party that lost in the trial court will argue that the trial judge incorrectly applied the law. The party that won below will argue that the trial court's decision was correct.
If an attorney failed to get critical, available evidence into the record, or to object to something prejudicial, the opportunity to do so is lost .
Most civil and criminal decisions of a state or federal trial court (as well as administrative decisions by agencies) are subject to review by an appeals court. Whether the appeal concerns a judge's order or a jury's verdict, an appeals court reviews what happened in prior proceedings for any errors of law. This means losing parties can't appeal a case just because they're unhappy with the outcome; they may only challenge decisions that may have resulted from errors, such as a misinterpretation of legal precedent or reliance on evidence that should have been excluded.
The record contains the pleadings (plaintiff's complaint and defendant's answer), pre-trial motions, a transcript of what occurred during trial, the exhibits put into evidence, post-trial motions, and any discussion with the judge that did not take place "off the record." The success of an appeal therefore depends on what occurred at trial. If an attorney failed to get critical, available evidence into the record, or to object to something prejudicial, the opportunity to do so is lost.
An appeal is a more scholarly proceeding than a trial. Whereas the litigator must be an active strategist in the courtroom, calling witnesses, cross-examining, and making motions or objections, the appellate lawyer builds his or her case in the brief, before the appeal is heard.
How many depends on the jurisdiction. At the initial appeals court level, courts may have from three to a few dozen judges. Yet on the larger courts, the full number of judges seldom hear claims together. Instead, appeals are typically heard by panels, often comprised of three judges.
After Appealing a Court Decision. The party that loses in a state or federal appeals court may appeal to the state Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court. (Most states call their highest court "Supreme Court," though Maryland and New York call theirs the "Court of Appeals.")
In most appeals, an initial brief, an answer brief, and a reply brief will be filed, in that order. The appellant, who filed the notice of appeal, will file the initial brief first. Then the other party, the appellee, will respond with an answer brief. Finally, the appellant can respond to the answer brief by filing a reply brief.
The appellant will want to argue why the lower tribunal ’s decision or judgment should be reversed ( why the lower court “erred”). And the appellee will want to argue why the decision was correct and should be upheld, or “affirmed.”. Again, the initial brief is filed first by the appellant.
Briefs must generally be printed or typed on opaque, white, unglossed paper. The paper size should be 8.5 by 11 inches. The paper should have margins of at least one inch on all sides. The lettering should be black. If a brief is typed on a computer, it must be double-spaced and use Times New Roman 14-point font, or Courier New 12-point font. Any headings or footnotes must be the same font and size as the rest of the brief. Although typed briefs must be double spaced, headings, indented quotations, and footnotes can be single spaced.
And briefs are usually much shorter, often 20 to 30 pages or less. The answer brief is the next brief. It is filed by the appellee within 20 days after the initial brief, again unless a motion for an extension of time is filed before the deadline. The answer brief responds to the arguments in the initial brief.
The initial brief is the first brief. It is filed by the appellant who filed the appeal. The appellant’s initial brief is due within 70 days after filing the notice of appeal. An appellant who needs extra time to file the initial brief should file a motion for an extension of time in the appellate court before the deadline for the brief. Motion practice is discussed in Chapter 4 of this Handbook. The initial brief should set out the facts and history of the case in the statement of case and facts section. It should also present legal arguments explaining each reason the appellant believes the decision of the lower tribunal was wrong (i.e., erroneous) and why it should be reversed. The initial brief cannot be longer than 50 pages, not counting the pages used for the Table of Contents, Table of Citations, Certificate of Service, Certificate of Font Compliance and the signature block for the brief’s author. A party can ask the court for permission to file brief longer than 50 pages, but such motions are rarely granted. And briefs are usually much shorter, often 20 to 30 pages or less.
The appellant’s reply brief, if any, is due 20 days after the answer brief and responds to the answer brief arguments. The reply brief can be no more than 15 pages long, not counting the pages necessary for the Table of Contents, Table of Citations, Certificate of Service, Certificate of Font Compliance, and the signature block for the brief’s author.
The initial brief should set out the facts and history of the case in the statement of case and facts section . It should also present legal arguments explaining each reason the appellant believes the decision of the lower tribunal was wrong (i.e., erroneous) and why it should be reversed.
A defendant who phones his or her attorney with a request for information can indicate a willingness to speak with the lawyer's associate, secretary, or paralegal. The lawyer may be too tied up on other cases to return the call personally, but may have time to pass along information through an assistant.
Defendants should insist that their lawyers adhere to their ethical obligation to inform them about the progress of their cases. As defined by ethical rules, a lawyer's duty to keep clients informed has two primary components: 1 to advise the defendant of case developments (such as a prosecutor's offered plea bargain or locating an important defense witness), and 2 to respond reasonably promptly to a defendant's request for information.
As defined by ethical rules, a lawyer's duty to keep clients informed has two primary components: to advise the defendant of case developments (such as a prosecutor's offered plea bargain or locating an important defense witness), and. to respond reasonably promptly to a defendant's request for information.