Legal Question in Appeals and Writs in California

The lawyer who defended your son at trial should file a notice of appeal, and she must do so before time expires. Filing the notice is just the first step, though. Much more has to be done afterwards. Your son will probably need a different lawyer to represent him in the Court of Appeal, since most lawyers who defend juvenile criminal cases only work in the trial court. The appellate court is a very different forum and it operates under very different rules. Your son will want someone who is an expert in the appeals process.

If your family is indigent, your son has the right to have a lawyer appointed to represent him at public expense. If you want to hire private counsel you should feel free to contact me directly. I am a certified appellate specialist and have been handling both civil and criminal appeals for over 15 years.

In addition to the information stated above, the timeline for filing a notice of appeal is 60 days after the rendition of the judgment or the making of the order being appealed or in matters heard by a referee not acting as a temporary judge, the notice of appeal must be filed within 60 days after the referee's order becomes final. The attorney representing your son regarding his delinquency hearing must file notice of appeal if requested by you or your son.