Appellate Division

Who We Are​

The Appellate Division represents OPD clients in direct appeals from the circuit courts to the Appellate Court of Maryland in criminal cases, juvenile delinquency cases, and child access (CINA/TPR) cases.  If the Supreme Court of Maryland or the United States Supreme Court grants further review, the Appellate Division will represent clients there as well.

How To Appeal

If you were originally tried in the circuit court and were found guilty by a judge or jury, you have the right to appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland. To appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal in the circuit court within 30 days of your sentencing. You should contact your trial attorney to file this notice for you. If you did not have an attorney, you may file your own notice of appeal (found below). After a notice of appeal has been filed, please contact us to be assigned an attorney for the appeal.

If you pled guilty or violated your probation, you do not have a right to appeal but you may file an Application for Leave to Appeal. The application must be filed in the circuit court within 30 days of your sentencing and must provide reasons why the appeals court should permit you to appeal. Please contact your attorney about this option.

If you were found guilty or in violation of probation in the district court, you may appeal to the circuit court. Please contact your district court attorney for further information.

For Counsel Noting An Appeal

If you are noting an appeal for a client and would like the Appellate Division to assign an attorney to represent the client on appeal, please send an as-filed copy of the notice of appeal along with a completed Appellate Information Worksheet to [email protected].