At Brownstone Law, we specialize in federal appellate litigation, providing expert guidance through the complexities of California’s federal appellate court system. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to representing clients in appeals before the California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court.

Understanding the California Appellate Court System

California’s appellate court system is structured into two primary levels:

  1. California Courts of Appeal: Serving as the intermediate appellate courts, they review decisions from superior courts to ensure the correct application of law. The state is divided into six appellate districts, each encompassing specific counties. Some districts are further divided into divisions. citeturn0search4
  2. California Supreme Court: As the state’s highest court, it has discretionary review over decisions from the Courts of Appeal and mandatory jurisdiction over cases involving capital punishment. citeturn0search1

California Courts of Appeal Caseload and Statistics

The California Courts of Appeal handle a substantial number of cases annually. In a typical year, they process approximately 16,000 appeals and issue around 12,000 opinions. Due to the high volume, only about 7% of these opinions are selected for publication, contributing to the state’s legal precedents. citeturn0search2

Process for Appealing a Case to the California Court of Appeal

Initiating an appeal in California involves several critical steps:

  1. Notice of Appeal: File a notice of appeal with the clerk of the trial court within a specific timeframe after the judgment or order (typically 60 days in civil cases and 30 days in criminal cases).
  2. Record on Appeal: Assemble the trial court record, including transcripts and pertinent documents, to provide the appellate court with the necessary context.
  3. Briefs Submission: The appellant submits an opening brief outlining alleged errors in the trial court’s decision. The appellee responds with a brief, and the appellant may file a reply brief.
  4. Oral Arguments: While not always required, parties may present oral arguments to elaborate on points from their briefs and answer the court’s questions.
  5. Decision: The Court of Appeal issues a written opinion, which may affirm, reverse, or remand the case for further proceedings.

California Rules of Appellate Procedure

Appeals in California are governed by the California Rules of Court, specifically Title 8, which outlines the procedures for civil and criminal appeals. These rules cover aspects such as filing deadlines, formatting requirements for briefs, and oral argument protocols. citeturn0search2

High-Profile Cases Handled by California Appellate Courts

The California appellate courts have presided over numerous significant cases, including:

  • In re Marriage Cases (2008): The California Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage rights, a landmark decision that influenced subsequent legal developments nationwide.
  • People v. Brock Turner (2016): The case involving a Stanford University student convicted of sexual assault garnered widespread attention and discussions about sentencing and judicial discretion.

Contact Information for California Appellate Courts

California Supreme Court

  • Address: 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Phone: (415) 865-7000
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: California Supreme Court
  • Latitude and Longitude: 37.7793° N, 122.4192° W

California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District

  • Address: 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Phone: (415) 865-7300
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: First Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 37.7793° N, 122.4192° W

California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District

  • Address: 300 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • Phone: (213) 830-7000
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Second Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 34.0537° N, 118.2428° W

California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District

  • Address: 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Phone: (916) 654-0209
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Third Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 38.5766° N, 121.4944° W

California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District

  • Division One Address: 750 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Phone: (619) 830-7000
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Fourth Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 32.7157° N, 117.1611° W

California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District

  • Address:2424 Ventura Street, Fresno, CA 93721
  • Phone: (559) 445-5491
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Fifth Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 36.7372° N, 119.7871° W

California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District

  • Address: 333 West Santa Clara Street, Suite 1060, San Jose, CA 95113
  • Phone: (408) 277-1004
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Sixth Appellate District
  • Latitude and Longitude: 37.3382° N, 121.8863° W

Why Choose Brownstone Law for Your California Federal Appeal?

At Brownstone Law, we are dedicated to upholding the legal rights of our clients through meticulous appellate representation. Our team of experienced appellate lawyers focuses exclusively on appeals, ensuring we have the expertise to navigate the complexities of appellate litigation. Whether you need assistance with a criminal, civil, or administrative appeal, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you achieve a favorable outcome.

Brownstone Law Services

  • California Federal Criminal Appeals – Defending the rights of individuals convicted of crimes by challenging trial court errors.
  • California Federal Civil Appeals – Representing businesses and individuals in complex civil litigation appeals.
  • California Federal Habeas Corpus Petitions – Challenging unlawful detentions through post-conviction relief.
  • California Federal Appeals – Handling appeals in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

For more information, visit our California Federal Appeals and California Habeas Corpus pages.