Appeals must be filed in writing within ten calendar days from the date of conviction. An appeal may be filed by a defendant or by the defendant's attorney by appearing at the Clerk's Office to complete the appropriate forms. If a defendant has been sentenced to serve time in jail, the presiding judge may set a bond or increase an existing bond to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in Circuit Court. If a new bond is set for the appeal date and the defendant is not incarcerated on the conviction, the defendant must appear (not counsel) at the Clerk's Office to post the bond and sign the bond form. At the time of appeal, the Clerk's Office will assign a trial date in Circuit Court for any defendant not requesting a jury trial. If a jury trial is requested at appeal, then the defendant will be assigned a return date in the Circuit Court for later selection of a jury trial date. A jury will add an additional cost of $390 to any fine imposed or court costs assessed, if the defendant is found guilty.
More information regarding appeals is provided in the brochure printed by the Circuit Court titled, “Notice to Defendants – Guidelines for Misdemeanor Appeals”.
