Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 912.1

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

A.(1)  The defendant may appeal to the supreme court from a judgment in a capital case in which a sentence of death actually has been imposed.

(2)  Except as provided in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 905.9, such defendant may waive his right of appeal.  The defendant shall be informed, both in writing and orally, of this right to waive appeal upon appointment of appellate counsel.

B.(1)  The defendant may appeal to the court of appeal from a judgment in a criminal case triable by jury, except as provided in Paragraph A or Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph.

(2)  An appeal from a judgment in a criminal case triable by jury from a city court located in the Nineteenth Judicial District, except as provided in Paragraph A of this Article, shall be taken to the Nineteenth Judicial District in the parish of East Baton Rouge.

C.(1)  In all other cases not otherwise provided by law, the defendant has the right of judicial review by application to the court of appeal for a writ of review.  This application shall be accompanied by a complete record of all evidence upon which the judgment is based unless the defendant intelligently waives the right to cause all or any portion of the record to accompany the application.

(2)  An application for review by the defendant shall not suspend the execution of sentence, unless the defendant is admitted to postconviction bail.

Added by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 28, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1980, No. 516, §1, eff. July 1, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 443, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1134, §2; Acts 2010, No. 674, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010.