Cover Colors, Length Limits & Copies Required by Court for Computer-Generated Briefs Filed in Criminal Cases In the California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court
Brief Cover
Rule 8.40(b)(1)
Length Limit Copies for Court
Rule 8.44
Due Date
COURT OF APPEAL
AOB Green 25,500 words (Rule 8.360(b)(1)) Orig. + 4 See appointment order (Rule 8.360(c)(1))
Respondent's Brief Yellow 25,500 words (Rule 8.360(b)) Orig. + 4 30 days after AOB (Rule 8.360(c)(2))
Reply Brief Tan 25,500 words (Rule 8.360(b)) Orig. + 4 20 days after RB (Rule 8.360(c)(3))
Petition for Rehearing Orange 25,500 words (Rule 8.360(b)) Orig. + 4 15 days after decision (Rule 8.268(b)(1))
Answer to Pet. for Reh'g Blue 25,500 words (Rule 8.360(b)) Orig. + 4 8 days after court order (Rule 8.268(b)(2))
Habeas Corpus Petition (filed by counsel) Red 14,000 words (Rule 8.204(c)(1), 8.384(a)(2)) Orig. + 4 (and 1 set of any sep. bound supporting docs) n/a
SUPREME COURT
Petition for Review White 8,400 words Rule 8.504(d)(1) Orig. + 13 (normal)
Orig. + 8 (exhaust.)
10 days after decision final as to Ct. of Appeal (Rule 8.500(e)(1); see also rules 8.366(b) [finality in criminal appeal] 8.387(b) [finality in habeas proceeding]; 8.264(b) and 8.470 [finality in juvenile appeal])
Answer to Pet. For Review Blue 8,400 words Rule 8.504(d)(1) Orig. + 13 20 days after petition (Rule 8.500(e)(4))
Reply to Answer to Pet. for Rev. White 4,200 words Rule 8.504(d)(1) Orig. + 13 10 days after answer (Rule 8.500(e)(5))
Opening Brief on Merits White 14,000 words Rule 8.520(c)(1) Orig. + 13 30 days after rev. granted (Rule 8.250(a)(1))
Answering Brief on Merits Blue 14,000 words Rule 8.520(c)(1) Orig. + 13 30 days after Opening Brief (Rule 8.250(a)(2))
Reply Brief on Merits White 8,400 words Rule 8.520(c)(1) Orig. + 13 20 days after answering brief (Rule 8.250(a)(3))
Suppl. Brief on new authorities or legis. not available for brief on merits not stated in rules 2,800 words (Rule 8.520(d)(2)) Orig. + 13 10 days before oral arg (Rule 8.250(d)(2))
Petition for Rehearing Orange 14,000 words Rule 8.520(c)(1) Orig. + 13 15 days after opinion Rules 8.268(b)(1); 8.536(b)
Answer to Pet. for Reh'g Blue 14,000 words Rule 8.520(c)(1) or 8.204(c)(1), 8.268(b)(3), and 8.536(b) Orig. + 13 8 days after petition Rule 8.536(b)
Habeas Corpus Petition (filed by counsel) Red 14,000 words (Rule 8.204(c)(1), 8.384(a)(2))

writ: Orig. + 10; supporting docs: Orig. + 2

n/a