Appellate Courts
Overview
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals hears federal appeals from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and is located in the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Courthouse—the oldest federal courthouse in the United States.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals consists of eighteen appellate judges—fifteen active and three senior judges. Appeals in the Fourth Circuit are typically heard by three-judge panels. However, in cases of special importance, the Court may hear a case “en banc,” meaning it will be decided by all of the judges on the Fourth Circuit.
Types of Appeals in the Fourth Circuit
Appeals to the Fourth Circuit are subject to strict time limits so it is important to contact an experienced federal appellate attorney as soon as possible.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals hears civil and criminal appeals from final orders of the district courts (federal trial courts) in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. There are nine federal district courts located within the Fourth Circuit. The Fourth Circuit also hears appeals from certain federal administrative agencies, including the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Civil
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals hears all federal civil appeals from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. If you or a loved one has been involved in a federal civil lawsuit in one of these states, your appeal will be decided by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In civil appeals from cases in which the United States is not a party, a notice of appeal must be filed within thirty days after entry of the judgment by the district court. If the United States is a party to the case, the notice of appeal must be filed within sixty days after entry of the judgment.
Criminal
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals hears all federal criminal appeals from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. If you or a loved one has been convicted of a federal crime in one of these states, your appeal will be decided by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In criminal appeals, the defendant must file a notice of appeal within fourteen days after the entry judgment. This deadline is even less than the deadline to file a notice of appeal in a civil case. So it is crucial that you contact a federal appellate lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your right to appeal your criminal conviction is protected.
Contact Ruffin Law Firm
If you have a federal appeal from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, or South Carolina, contact Ruffin Law Firm to explore your options today.
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.