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Introduction to California’s Court-Appointed Felony Appeals System

This program provides an overview of California’s court-appointed felony appeals system for attorneys interested in developing a court-appointed criminal appellate practice. The presentation covers the structure of the appointed appellate system, the role of appellate projects, the lifecycle of a criminal appeal, and the responsibilities of panel attorneys. Attendees will also learn about available training and resources and the process for applying for appellate appointments.

Topics covered include:

Criminal Law Law Practice Legal Jobs Professional Development

Agenda:

Introductory Overview

Purpose of the presentation is to explain:

What happens after a felony conviction in California
Why the court-appointed appellate system exists
The life cycle of a court-appointed appeal
The role of non-profit appellate projects like Central California Appellate Program in the court appointed felony system
How attorneys can become eligible for appellate appointments

Scope and Structure of California’s Appointed Appellate System

Constitutional underpinnings of the appellate system
Types and number of appointed appeals statewide
Why appellate review is critical to the justice system
The five appellate projects and their geographic coverage
Role of panel attorneys as independent contractors
How cases are classified and assigned

The Role of the Appellate Projects

Brief summary of the role of the five appellate projects (Central California Appellate Program (CCAP), Appellate Defenders Inc. (ADI), California Appellate Project-Los Angeles (CAP-LA), First District Appellate Project (FDAP), and Sixth District Appellate Project (SDAP), which includes:

Case screening and assignment
Panel attorney selection and oversight
Training, resources, and ongoing support

Lifecycle of a Criminal Appeal

Notice of appeal and appointment
Client communication obligations
Record completion and augmentation
Issue spotting
Briefing (Appellant’s Opening Brief, Respondent’s Brief, and Appellant’s Reply Brief)
Oral argument and opinion
Post-opinion options and case closure

Are Court Appointed Appeals Right for You?

Overview of the panel attorney role
Key benefits of court-appointed appellate practice
Explanation of how to apply to the appellate panel

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: March 23, 2026 12:00 PM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

The speakers explain the mentorship structure provided by the Central California Appellate Program to help attorneys excel in criminal appellate advocacy. The distinction between public defenders and appointed appellate attorneys is highlighted, with the latter being funded by the state and administered by nonprofit organizations. The types of cases requiring court-appointed counsel include criminal and juvenile dependency cases, with a focus on criminal cases in this presentation. Appellate review is critical for protecting constitutional rights, ensuring uniform interpretation of the law, and correcting trial-level errors.

14:33 Role of Appellate Projects and Panel Attorneys

The appellate projects, including CCAP, are nonprofit organizations that administer the appointed counsel system for their respective districts. Each project maintains a list of panel attorneys and provides training, resources, and case assistance. Panel attorneys can join multiple panels regardless of their geographical location, provided they have an active California bar license. CCAP reviews cases, classifies them by complexity, and matches them with panel attorneys based on skill level and availability. The projects provide training, resources, and direct assistance to panel attorneys, ensuring high-quality representation. Compensation claims for panel attorneys are processed efficiently, with payment typically received within 15 to 30 days.

27:05 Life Cycle of a Criminal Appeal

The life cycle of a criminal appeal begins with the notice of appeal and involves several stages, including client communication and record completion. Client communication is primarily conducted via letter due to the monitored nature of prison phone calls. Record completion involves ensuring all necessary documents are included and filing motions if items are missing. Issue spotting involves identifying trial errors that could lead to a new trial or sentence modification. Common appeal issues include inadmissible evidence, unlawful search and seizure, erroneous jury instructions, and improper sentencing. Direct appeals focus on issues within the trial record, while habeas issues require new evidence and are less common.

50:31 Benefits of Joining the Panel

Court-appointed appeals offer flexibility, allowing attorneys to work from anywhere and balance other commitments. Attorneys advocate for individuals without a voice, contributing to the development of California law and ensuring fairness in the justice system. The panel provides extensive training and resources to support attorneys in building a successful appellate practice. Compensation is timely, and malpractice insurance is provided, making it an attractive opportunity for lawyers.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speakers

Monique Boldin Executive Director
Central California Appellate Program

Monique Boldin is the executive director of Central California Appellate Program (CCAP). She started her career in public service as a public defender while also accepting court-appointed felony appeals as a private panel attorney on CCAP’s panel. After several years working simultaneously as a trial and appellate attorney, Monique joined CCAP’s staff in 2017. Since becoming CCAP’s fifth executive director in 2025, she now leads a staff of 35 employees and supports 250 panel attorneys. She was appointed by California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve on the Appellate Indigent Defense Oversight Advisory Committee (AIDOAC), which provides statewide policy recommendations related to the Court Appointed Counsel program of the Judicial Council. Monique is a proud graduate of UCLA and UC Davis School of Law. Read More ›

Devon Stein Supervising Attorney
Central California Appellate Program

Devon is a supervising attorney at the Central California Appellate Program (CCAP) where she has worked since 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Economy from UC Berkeley in 2014 and her J.D. from UC Davis School of Law in 2020. During law school, Devon interned at the Third District Court of Appeal and the Office of the State Public Defender.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in California.

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