Appellate Division
What is an Appeal?
An Appeal is a review by another court of the trial court’s decision.
An appeal is not a retrial, except in small claims appeals. Generally, the appeal must be based on an argument that a legal error was made by the trial court; introduction of new evidence will not be permitted, and the appellate court will not reweigh conflicting evidence.
Where are Appeals heard?
Small claims appeals are heard through the small claims division at the Courthouse in Watsonville.
Misdemeanor, traffic, and limited civil jurisdiction cases only are decided by the Santa Cruz Superior Court Appellate Division. The Appellate Division hears oral arguments one Thursday afternoon per month at the Courthouse in Santa Cruz.
To appear remotely via Zoom you must obtain approval from the Court prior to your hearing. You may email your request to appeals@santacruzcourt.org or contact the court directly.
Felony, Probate, Family Law, and Unlimited Civil Cases are decided by the California Court of Appeals for the Sixth District located in San Jose.
What judges hear appeals in the Santa Cruz Superior Court Appellate Division?
APPELLATE DIVISION PANEL:
Honorable Syda Cogliati, Appellate Presiding Judge
Honorable Timothy Schmal, Associate Judge
Honorable Nancy de la Pena, Associate Judge
Honorable Jordan Sheinbaum, Associate Judge
*Judicial officers subject to change
Filing a Notice of Appeal
The Notice of Appeal must be filed with the Appeals Unit before the filing deadline. To find the filing deadline for your case, see the California Rules of Court, Title 8. Appellate Rules
*All local Appellate division cases shall file/efile the notice of appeal as a new appeal case with the Santa Cruz Superior Court.
*All Sixth District appeals cases shall file/efile the notice of appeal into the existing Santa Cruz Superior Court case.
Forms can be located on the Judicial Council’s website at https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?query=appeals
Where to File an Appeal
Appeals may be efiled or filed in person, even for attorneys. In person appeals should be filed in Room 110 of the Santa Cruz Courthouse, 701 Ocean Street.
Additional Resources
For information regarding preparation of designated appellate records, please contact the Appeals Department at Appeals@santacruzcourt.org
Civil Appeals Judicial Counsel Self-help link: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-appeals.htm