Home Frequently Asked Questions - Applications Seeking Permission to Appeal to the Court of Appeals

Q: When should the application be filed?
A: An application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals pursuant to CPL section 460.20 must be filed within 30 days after service by the adverse party of a copy of the intermediate appellate court order sought to be appealed. Please note that a motion for reargument of the appeal filed in the intermediate appellate court does not stay the 30-day time period in which to file an application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals.

Q: What if the 30 day time period has elapsed?
A: CPL section 460.30 governs the making of a motion for an extension of time, but such a motion must be made within one year after the expiration of the time for seeking leave to appeal. The motion shall be addressed to the full court in compliance with Rules 500.20 (g) and 500.21.

Q: Who is responsible for filing the application for the defendant?
A: The Rules of this Court and the Appellate Division require counsel assigned or retained at the intermediate appellate court to file an application for leave to appeal if the defendant requests. However, the defendant may file the application pro se.

Q: Is there a form for filing the application?
A: A form criminal leave application for pro se litigants is available on the Court’s website. The application should be in letter form outlining the grounds on which the appeal is being sought. The letter must bear an indication of service upon the adverse party. A formal affidavit of service is unnecessary. Additionally, the letter must indicate the names of all co-defendants in the trial court, if any, and the status of their appeals, if known; that no application for the same relief has been addressed to a Justice of the Appellate Division; and whether oral argument is requested.

Q: To whom is the application addressed?
A: The application is addressed to the Chief Judge and sent to the attention of the Clerk of the Court.

Q: May I choose the Judge to whom the application will be assigned?
A: No, the Chief Judge directs the assignment of each application to a Judge of the Court through the Clerk of the Court.

Q: What papers are filed with the application?  What are the digital filing requirements?
A: The applicant must file at Court of Appeals Hall the application letter and a copy of the order sought to be appealed in hard copy, with an indication of service on the responding party.  If an applicant chooses to supplement the criminal leave application with additional submissions, the additional submissions must be filed at Court of Appeals Hall in hard copy, with an indication of service on the responding party.  If a responding party chooses to oppose the criminal leave application, the responding submissions must be filed at Court of Appeals Hall in hard copy, with an indication of service on the applicant. 
The parties will be notified of the Judge assigned to determine the criminal leave application, be provided with instructions to upload digital companion submission and given deadlines to do so.  Parties will upload the initial leave letter, order sought to be appealed, intermediate appellate court documents and additional submissions (applicant) and responding submissions (responding party).

Q: How many copies are required?
A: The Court requires only one copy of the application letter, order sought to be appealed, additional submission and responding submissions in hard copy.  If a request to be relieved of the digital filing requirement is submitted, the application should include one unbound copy of the intermediate appellate court documents.

Q: How long will it take for the application to be decided?
A: There is no set time for an application for leave to appeal to be decided.
Q: If the application is denied, may I seek reconsideration?
A: Yes. Requests for reargument or reconsideration shall be in letter form addressed to the Clerk of the Court, with proof of service on the adverse party, and shall be assigned to the Judge who ruled on the original application. Unless otherwise permitted by the assigned Judge, such requests must be made within 30 days after the original application was decided.

Q: How do I request a stay?
A: CPL 460.60 governs applications for a stay, which must be made to the Judge to whom a leave application has been assigned. The request may be made either in the letter application for leave to appeal or by separate letter with proof of service of one copy on the adverse party. The request must indicate whether the relief sought has previously been requested, whether the defendant is incarcerated or at liberty and, if at liberty, the conditions thereof and any surrender date.  A party seeking a stay should contact the Clerk’s Office for further instructions.