Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

In most appeals, the court feels that the facts and law are clear enough that they do not care to have oral argument. You do not say which level the appeal is at; check with the court rules if a hearing is mandatory or up to the court's own discretion. On the Court of Appeals level I believe you can ask for oral argument but it is not likely to change their minds as to the outcome of the case.

Personally, I never advise a client not to go to a court hearing, and I never skip a court hearing on an appeal. I always see it as an opportunity to answer the court's questions and make sure that they hear my client's arguments and that there is no confusion.