Step 1: Prepare to File
Request an Attorney
- Form - Application for Court Appointed Counsel - JDF 208
- File - With the District Court.
Be On Time
- You have 49 days to start the appeal.
- From the date a Final Order was issued.
- See (Step 2) for starting the appeal.
- You can file late if you show there was a good cause.
- This is rarely established.
- Past the deadline, your opportunity to appeal has closed.
Filing Fee
- Court of Appeals Fee - $223.
- Cost Waiver:
- File:
- In the District Court.
- Then, give the ruling to the Court of appeals.
- When:
- File this motion as soon as possible.
Transcript
- What: A word-for-word document of what was said at the hearing.
- Why:
- An appellate court cannot consider any new facts or evidence.
- It must rely solely on the facts that were presented to the deciding court.
- Many facts come onto the record through the testimony at the hearing.
- How to Order:
- Form - Transcript Request Form - JDF 4
- File - In the District Court.
- Next Step - A Court Reporter or transcriptionist will be in contact with you to arrange payment.
- Cost:
- A transcript costs $3 a page.
- This works out to be about $150 for every hour you were in court.
- The Court Reporter or transcriptionist will be able to give you a more precise quote for your case.
- Deposit:
- Some counties require you to post a deposit on the transcript when you submit your Transcript Request Form.
- If not, the transcriptionist will require a deposit to begin work on the transcript.
- Cost Waiver:
- Form - Motion for Free Transcripts - JDF 1933
- File - In the District Court