Angelina "Angel" Colonneso Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Manatee County
About the Clerk

Appeals Department

The Appeals Department of the Clerk's Office prepares and maintains circuit and county court appeals. The decision of any court case can be appealed. Generally County Court and Circuit Court cases, for example, felonies, circuit and county civil, probate, juvenile, and county criminal (misdemeanors and criminal traffic) cases, are appealed to the District Court of Appeal. Death penalty cases are appealed directly to the Supreme Court of Florida. A party or defendant in a case has thirty (30) days from the date the decision is rendered in the lower court to file a Notice of Appeal. The appellate court (or higher court) reviews the decision of the lower court after hearing legal arguments and briefs to determine if an error occurred during the disposition of the case.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Effective January 1, 2021, Chapter 2020-61, Section 3 and 8, Laws of Florida, the authority of circuit courts to hear appeals from county courts in criminal and civil cases was eliminated in general; transferring to the district courts of appeal all jurisdiction of appeals from final orders or county courts in civil and criminal cases. Circuit courts will continue to have appellate jurisdiction for certain types of cases under statutes that were not amended by the legislation.

Appeals Department Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can any case be appealed?

Yes. 

2) How many days do I have to file an appeal?

You have 30 days from the time the Order to be reviewed was rendered. 

3) How much does it cost to file an appeal?

Several fees are involved in filing an appeal. Please refer to the fee schedule.

4) How many copies of the Notice of Appeal do I need to file?

You will file the original Notice of Appeal plus one copy with the appropriate filing fees. 

5) Can I pick up the Notice of Appeal form from the Clerk's Office?

Our office does not have the Notice of Appeal form. You would need to seek legal counsel. You may prepare the paperwork yourself by doing your own legal research. 

Related Links

Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure
Pro-Se Handbook
Contact Appeals Department
Phone: 941-749-1800
Supervisor: Kelly Cadena
Supervisor Title: Appeals Clerk
Mailing Address
Attn: Appeals Department
P.O. Box 25400
Bradenton, FL 34206
Physical Address
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
1) Appeal Charges from County to Circuit Court
Description Amount
1 Notice to Appeal from County to Circuit Court- Check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court $281.00
2 Notice of Appeal for Administrative Appeal- Check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court $281.00
3 To file a cross appeal from County to Circuit Court- Check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court $100.00
4 To file a cross appeal in an Administrative Appeal- Check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court $100.00
5 Preparing, numbering and indexing an original record of appellate proceedings, per instrument $3.50
6 Clerk's Certification $7.00
2) Appeal Charges from County or Circuit Court to Appellate Court (both fees required)
Description Amount
1 Notice of Appeal from County or Circuit Court to Appellate Court-First check payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court $100.00
2 Notice of Appeal from County or Circuit Court to Appellate Court-Second check payable to Clerk of the Appellate Court $300.00
3 To file a cross appeal from County or Circuit Court to Appellate Court- First check payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court $100.00
4 To file a cross appeal from County or Circuit Court to Appellate Court- Second check payable to Clerk of the Appellate Court $295.00
5 Preparing, numbering and indexing an original record of appellate proceedings, per instrument $3.50
6 Clerk's Certification $7.00