California Appeals

John Derrick handles a wide range of appeals — both civil and criminal — but there are some types of cases that, for a variety of reasons, fall outside of his practice area:

• Habeas corpus petitions in criminal cases (except in cases where he handled the initial appeal). If you are trying to find a lawyer to help a friend or relative who is serving a prison sentence and whose initial appeal has already failed, John Derrick will not be able to handle the case.
• Bringing any appeal to challenge a money judgment where the amount is less than $25,000. John Derrick cannot cost-effectively handle such cases on behalf of appellants. Even cases where the amount is up to $50,000 can be tough to litigate cost-effectively, but he will consider them individually. However, no such restrictions apply to defending appeals.
  
• DUI/DMV appeals (except for ones involving felony vehicular criminal convictions).
  
• Family law appeals where a potential client does not have representation in the trial court and there are still ongoing proceedings in that court. For example, if you are trying to appeal a custody order, but you are still litigating support arrangements in the trial court without a lawyer, John Derrick would not be able to handle your appeal.
• Social security/disability appeals.
  
• Unemployment appeals.
  
• Unlawful detainer (eviction) appeals.
  

If you are looking for a lawyer to help you in one of those areas, you may be able to find a specialist who can assist by visiting the California State Bar list of certified specialists searchable by practice area and county.