Criminal Appeals

You can challenge and possibly reverse your conviction and sentence by appealing to the Appellate Court of Maryland (formerly the Court of Special Appeals).  A  successful appeal requires:

• Filing a notice of appeal in the circuit court where you were convicted within 30 days of sentencing.
• Filing a timely appellant’s brief with a request for oral argument. The brief’s due date will depend on the scheduling order ultimately issued by the Appellate Court of Maryland. This brief must be presented with the specific style, form, and contents required by Maryland Rule 8-503 and Maryland Rule 8-504, each available below:
• Maryland Rule 8-503 Link
• Maryland Rule 8-504 Link
• Filing any reply brief within 15 days of the State’s brief.
  
• Obtaining an attorney to argue for you at oral argument. Incarcerated criminal defendants are not permitted to appear before the Appellate Court of Maryland. Therefore, if you do not obtain a private attorney or an Assistant Public Defender to present an oral argument for you, the Appellate Court will issue an opinion based solely on the brief that you file.
  
• (If the Appellate Court of Maryland upholds your conviction and sentence) filing a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the Supreme Court of Maryland within 15 days from the date of the Appellate Court of Maryland’s mandate. Please review Maryland Rule 8-303 linked below, for the specific requirements content of that petition.
• Maryland Rule 8-309 Link