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What these Appellate Defenders, Inc. (ADI), self-help web pages cover:
These web pages are designed to give basic information to persons involved in the types of appeals handled through the Appellate Defenders, Inc. (ADI), program. The ADI program covers appointed-counsel appeals from San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Orange Counties. They include non-capital felony criminal, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, Family Code section 7800 etc., civil commitment, and other cases in which the Court of Appeal appoints counsel.

What these web pages do NOT cover:
The ADI web self-help pages do NOT apply to cases in federal court or another state. (Exception: there is brief discussion of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus.) They also do not cover:

  • Criminal cases other than California state non-capital felony appeals: That means the ADI self-help pages do not cover death penalty, misdemeanor, or infraction (traffic violation) appeals.
  • California civil cases where the Court of Appeal does not appoint attorneys: That means the ADI self-help pages do not cover ordinary civil and small claims appeals, among others.
  • Writs, with brief exceptions: These ADI pages do not have self-help guidance on writs, for the most part. They do briefly talk about habeas corpus petitions and juvenile writs under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26 or 366.28.

    Many of the cases not covered have different deadlines, procedures, and rules from those on the ADI self-help pages. Make sure the instructions you are following are the right ones for your kind of case. Ask the court clerk's office if you are unsure. See the section below on "Court Self-Help Guidance for Appeals Not Covered by the ADI Web Pages Above" for some links to information provided by the California courts.

How the Appellate Defenders, Inc. (ADI), program works:
ADI runs the system of court-appointed lawyers on appeal. After a notice of appeal is filed, the court informs ADI. ADI contacts you for any necessary information and, once you have provided the information, helps the Court of Appeal select your lawyer. In appeals from other California counties, another district appellate project will do that.

 

COURT SELF-HELP GUIDANCE FOR APPEALS NOT COVERED BY THE ADI WEB PAGES ABOVE

IMPORTANT: The California courts' self-help guides listed below should NOT be followed in felony criminal, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, Family Code section 7800 etc., civil commitment, and other cases in which the Court of Appeal appoints counsel. As explained on the ADI self-help web pages, different rules, procedures, and deadlines often apply in those cases. Make sure the instructions you are following are the right ones for your kind of case. Ask the court clerk's office if you are unsure.

The California courts provide guidance for these appeals (external site links):

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*The material found on this website is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered to be legal advice and is not guaranteed to be complete or up to date. Use of this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between the user and Appellate Defenders, Inc. (ADI) or any of the firm's attorneys. Readers should not rely upon or act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. See full disclaimer.