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Alaska Appellate Attorney

Alaska has a unique appeals structure. Unlike other states, such as Oregon and Washington, the rules for civil appeals and criminal appeals are different

You can find all the rules governing appeals in the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure

How do I file a civil appeal in Alaska?

You have a right to appeal a decision from the Alaska Superior Court to the Alaska Supreme Court

How do I file a criminal appeal?

Unlike a civil appeal, you may appeal your criminal conviction to the Alaska Court of Appeals

How long do I have to file an appeal?

Regardless of whether you are appealing a civil judgment or a criminal conviction, you must file your appeal within 30 days of the court's final order.  You will file your notice of appeal with the appellate court clerk.

What is the notice of appeal?

An appeal in Alaska officially starts with the filing of a notice of appeal.  The notice of appeal identifies the party filing the appeal, the final order or judgment that you are appealing, and the trial court that issued the judgment you are appealing.

You must also attach the following documents to the notice of appeal:

The clerk's docketing statement

A copy of the final judgment or order being appealed

When you file the notice of appeal, you must also file prepare the trial court record for the court of appeals.  To do this, you “designate” the parts of the trial court record that you want the Court of Appeals or the Alaska Supreme Court to review. 

What happens after I file my notice of appeal?

After receiving your notice of appeal, the trial court clerk's office assembles the record that you have designated.  The record generally consists of the following:

  • Court pleadings
  • Trial exhibits
  • Transcripts

The clerk's office has 40 days to assemble the record upon receipt of your notice of appeal.  Once done, the clerk's office notifies the appellate court that the case is ready for briefing. 

When do I file my appellate brief?

The appellant must file and serve the appellant brief within 30 days of getting the case schedule from the appellate court.

The appellee (i.e. the winning party in the trial court) then has 30 days to file his her own brief. 

Within 20 days of receiving the appellee's brief, the appellant may—but is not required to—file a reply brief.

What happens if I lose in the Court of Appeals?

If the Court of Appeals affirms the trial court, you may file a petition for review in the Alaska Supreme Court.  You must file a petition for review within 30 days of the date of the court of appeals order.

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