The first step in pursuing review of your case is to file a Notice of Appeal in the trial court that heard your case. The person who files the notice of appeal is referred to as the appellant whereas the other parties in the case are referred to as appellees. The notice must be filed within 30 days after the circuit court enters the judgment or other appealable order on the docket. Each appellee must be served a copy of the Notice of Appeal.

There are two fees owed at the time of filing. The first one is the circuit court’s cost  for assembling, preparing and transmitting the record. The second is the appeal fee for the Court of Special Appeals.

This step is disregarded if you are appealing a criminal case, a juvenile case, a guardianship terminating parental rights, a petition for writ of error coram nobis, or you are a prisoner seeking relief related to confinement or conditions of confinement.

The deadline to order the transcript depends on the type of case you are appealing.

The appellees are then able (but not required) to file a response brief within 30 days. If appellees file a response brief, the appellant may file a reply brief.

At oral argument, each party will explain the legal reasoning in their brief and answer questions from the judges. Oral argument is not an opportunity to introduce new facts or evidence. If the Court does not schedule oral argument, the case will be decided on the briefs and the record from the circuit court. The court will issue a written decision called an opinion.