What is an appeal?

In the court system, an appeal is when someone who loses a case asks a higher court to review a decision and change it. The person who asks for the appeal is called the appellant and the person who is on the other side of the appeal is called the respondent. Appeals are hard and have strict rules and deadlines. Learn about the process to get started.

The basic steps in an appeals case:

1. Which appeals court: Find out which court decides the appeal.
2. Notice of Appeal: the paper you file to start the appeal process.
3. Ask the court to stop enforcement of the judgment while you are appealing. 
4. "Perfecting" the appeal: when you finish all the steps to get the case on the higher court's calendar. 
5. Court date: a chance to tell the judge your story. 
6. The decision