Our attorneys are admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, where we handle federal criminal and civil appeals from briefing through oral argument and rehearing.
Federal appeals are decided by the thirteen U.S. Courts of Appeals, each covering a defined group of states. An appeal from a federal district court goes to the court of appeals for the circuit where that district court sits. Each circuit has its own local rules and practices layered on top of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and familiarity with both shapes how a brief is written and argued.
| Circuit | Seated in | Appeals from federal courts in |
|---|---|---|
| First Circuit | Boston | Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico |
| Fourth Circuit | Richmond | Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina |
| Seventh Circuit | Chicago | Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin |
| Eighth Circuit | St. Louis | Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota |
| Ninth Circuit | San Francisco | Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands |
| Tenth Circuit | Denver | Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming |
| Eleventh Circuit | Atlanta | Alabama, Florida, Georgia |
Every federal case from the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia is appealed to the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta.
A defendant's notice of appeal in a federal criminal case is due within 14 days of the entry of judgment (Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(b)). The government generally has 30 days when it is permitted to appeal. Fourteen days passes quickly after sentencing, and a late notice can forfeit the appeal.
Federal criminal appeals commonly raise:
Many plea agreements include an appeal waiver. A waiver does not bar every claim. Courts generally will not enforce one against certain claims, such as a sentence above the statutory maximum, and a lawyer must file a notice of appeal if the client asks, even when a waiver exists. Claims that trial counsel was ineffective are usually better raised later in a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 than on direct appeal.
In civil cases, the notice of appeal is generally due within 30 days of judgment, or 60 days when the United States or a federal agency or officer is a party (Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)). Timely motions for judgment as a matter of law, to amend findings, for a new trial, or to alter or amend the judgment postpone the deadline until the motion is decided.
Federal appellate jurisdiction generally requires a final judgment (28 U.S.C. § 1291). Exceptions include orders granting or denying injunctions (28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)), questions the district court certifies for immediate appeal and the court of appeals agrees to hear (28 U.S.C. § 1292(b)), and the narrow collateral-order doctrine.
How much deference the court of appeals gives the district court depends on the issue. Legal questions are reviewed de novo. Factual findings are reviewed for clear error. Many trial-management and evidentiary decisions are reviewed for abuse of discretion. Errors not raised in the district court are generally reviewed only for plain error, a much harder standard to meet. That is why preserving issues at trial matters so much.
When a district court denies a habeas petition or a § 2255 motion, an appeal requires a certificate of appealability. We handle these appeals and requests for a certificate in the circuits where our attorneys are admitted, including appeals to the Eleventh Circuit from Georgia's federal courts. See federal habeas corpus and § 2255.
Appeals from Georgia state courts go to the Court of Appeals of Georgia or the Supreme Court of Georgia, not the federal courts. See Georgia criminal appeals and civil appeals.
Reviewed by GA Law Group attorneys. Last updated October 12, 2026. This page provides general information about Georgia and federal appellate procedure, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines are strict and fact-specific. Admission to practice before a court does not imply specialization or certification, and no particular outcome can be guaranteed.
GA Law Group represents people seeking federal post-conviction relief in Georgia. We handle habeas petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 challenging state convictions, motions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 challenging federal convictions and sentences, and appeals from both to the Eleventh Circuit.
Learn MoreAn unfavorable civil judgment is not necessarily the end. GA Law Group handles civil appeals to the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia, and federal civil appeals in seven U.S. Courts of Appeals. We challenge legal errors and defend favorable judgments.
Learn MoreGA Law Group represents people convicted in Georgia courts on motions for new trial, direct appeals to the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia, and post-conviction relief through state habeas corpus and related motions.
Learn MoreGA Law Group handles Georgia and federal appeals and post-conviction matters. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and your deadlines.
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