3rd District Court of Appeal

Latest News

November 20, 2023

The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, is pleased to announce the re-opening of its historic courtroom for oral argument. The Third Appellate District’s preferred format for oral argument is in-person. Requests for remote oral argument must be in writing and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause. You will find information about the calendar and Procedures for Oral Argument on the court’s Calendar page.

September 1, 2023

The Judicial Council recently adopted a new rule (rule 10.1014 of the California Rules of Court) that becomes effective on September 1, 2023.  The rule promotes the efficient, effective, and proper administration of the Courts of Appeal by increasing the accountability of administrative presiding justices and presiding justices.  The rule allows anyone to submit a contention that an administrative presiding justice or a presiding justice has not properly addressed or managed an important matter related to the administration of a Court of Appeal or a division of a Court of Appeal.  A person submitting such a contention should use the following addresses:

By email:

AppellateRule10.1014@jud.ca.gov

By mail:
Judicial Council of California
Attn: Rule 10.1014 Program
2860 Gateway Oaks Drive, #400
Sacramento, CA 95833

July 27, 2023

Justice Boulware Eurie represents District on Bias Prevention Committee 

Associate Justice Stacy E. Boulware Eurie represents the Third Appellate District on the Supreme Court and Appellate Court Bias Prevention Committee. Its mission is to support the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system and promote an appellate court environment free of bias. The committee’s membership roster consists of six associate justices drawn from each of the Court of Appeal Appellate Districts, six attorney members from around the state, a representative from the California Appellate Program, and a Clerk/Court Executive Officer. The Bias Prevention Committee was established under the Standards of Judicial Administration, standard 10.20.

June 30, 2023

On June 26, 2023, the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, approved amendments to Local Rule 1, which governs the Court’s Mediation Program.  These amendments will become effective September 18, 2023.

Consistent with the Mediation Program’s stated goals of enabling efficient case management and more expeditious resolution of appeals, the Mediation Committee recommended amendments to Local Rule 1 that limit how long record preparation and briefing is automatically stayed for cases referred to mediation.  The Court has approved amendments establishing that the automatic stay will remain in place for up to nine months. 

The lapse of the automatic stay will not preclude the parties, on a showing of good cause, from seeking a stay from the Court or an extension of time for filing the notice of designation or other required documents.  (See Cal. Rues of Court, rule 8.60(b).)  Nor does it prevent the parties from continuing their efforts to reach a non-judicial resolution of the cases.  (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.244.)

March 9, 2023

Notice regarding masks

Consistent with the end of the Covid-19 State of Emergency in California on February 28, 2023, masks are no longer required by the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. Nevertheless, members of the public are encouraged to wear masks when their unique circumstances require it, and no one may be prohibited from wearing a mask.

August 15, 2022

Notice regarding optional form for applications for extension of time in criminal cases

The court is making obsolete its Application for Extension of Time to File Brief form, which was approved for optional use on October 20, 2010. The court requests that filers use the Judicial Council of California form, CR-126, which you can find under Forms & Local Rules. This applies to criminal cases only.

March 3, 2022

California Chief Justice Rescinds Temporary Emergency Measures

Click here to view the order

December 15, 2021

On August 25, 2021, the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, provided a training on “How to Prepare an Electronic Clerk’s Transcripts” for trial court appeals clerks and other trial court employees interested in the training. You will find the video and training materials here.

June 16, 2020

By unanimous vote of the justices, the Court endorses the California Supreme Court’s Statement on Equality and Inclusion, as follows:

In view of recent events in our communities and through the nation, we are at an inflection point in our history. It is all too clear that the legacy of past injustices inflicted on African Americans persists powerfully and tragically to this day. Each of us has a duty to recognize there is much unfinished and essential work that must be done to make equality and inclusion an everyday reality for all. [Full statement].

Updated June 2, 2020

Following the recommendations of the Department of General Services (DGS) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento is closed Tuesday, June 2, 2020.  E-filing is still available through the court’s website.  The court will continue to monitor the situation and review recommendations from DGS and the CHP.

The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 coronavirus situation.  The court is following guidance provided by the Judicial Council, the Department of Public Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus. 

Further, the court has obtained an Emergency Order from the Chair of the Judicial Council permitting it to issue an order extending the time to do any act required or permitted under the California Rules of Court, which it has done by Order dated April 13, 2020.

On April 15, 2020, the court obtained an Emergency Order from the Chair of the Judicial Council permitting it to issue an order extending by no more than 30 days the time periods occurring between April 20 and May 18, 2020, which it has done by Order dated April 17, 2020. Second extensions of time are limited to acts and events that occur prior to the filing of a decision by the Court of Appeal.

Any further updates will be communicated through the court’s website, both here and in Latest News below, as appropriate. 

April 22, 2020

The Court entered Miscellaneous Order 2020-001 regarding the application of the Renewed Order to briefs in juvenile dependency appeals and writs. Click here to read Miscellaneous Order 2020-001.

June 27, 2019 

Recruitment: Appointed Counsel for Trial Court Capital Habeas Matters

The Third District Regional Habeas Counsel Committee invites qualified attorneys whose primary place of business is within the Third District to apply to be appointed counsel in capital habeas corpus proceedings in trial courts within the Third District. Appointed Counsel will be responsible for defending clients in habeas corpus proceedings related to death sentences in a superior court within the Third District. Responsibilities may include: building relationships with clients and their families; preparing and filing pleadings; analyzing and organizing evidence & other legal documents; following current developments in criminal law and procedure; working with other capital defense organizations in the state; and investigating and researching matters related to the case. 

Qualifications:
In addition to the qualifications outlined in Cal. Rule of Court 8.652, the candidate’s principal place of business must be within the boundaries of the Third Appellate District.

To apply:
Please fill out form HC-100 “Declaration of Counsel Re Minimum Qualifications for Appointment in Death Penalty-Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings” and send it along with your resume to 3DCapHabeasCounselApps@jud.ca.gov as attachments.

Not all qualified candidates will receive an appointment. Appointments will be made by the trial court, when need arises. If qualified, you may also be added to the statewide list of qualified counsel.

Case Information

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About Us

The 3rd District is located in Sacramento.  Its jurisdiction is over the following counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. It has 11 justices and is not divided into divisions.  READ MORE >>