This is a guide that gets sent to self-represented appellants after they file an appeal.

If you are in a District Court case, you should download and read this booklet now.

It is helpful to know what comes next, so you can prepare for it.

The Ninth Circuit is pro se friendly, procedurally. I don’t know yet if they treat the self-represented fairly on substantive law – in other words, do the right thing, and correct the District Court’s errors.

A pro se appellant in the Ninth Circuit gets to write an informal brief, does not need to create an appendix and is not required to include caselaw. It doesn’t hurt to include authorities, just in case the justices don’t feel so friendly toward you and overlook cases that support your position.

Call me cynical, but it seems like if a court wants to rule against you, it will, regardless of the facts and brilliant argument you present. Still, you must keep hope and do what you can to cause change for the better. Make your documents look like a million bucks, even if you expect half that when the jury returns.

If you need a professional writer, editor or researcher, please contact me at bohemian_books@yahoo.com or (760) 966-6000 (text and voice). Let me add impact to your documents. My rates are negotiable.

I am not an attorney. I cannot give legal advice.