The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit hears appeals from the federal district courts in Alabama, Florida and Georgia (28 U.S.C. § 41). In a criminal case, the defendant’s notice of appeal is due in the district court within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)). The national appellate rules apply here, along with this court’s own local rules; the points below are local rules that matter in criminal appeals.
Which federal courts does it cover?
The Eleventh Circuit covers 9 federal districts:
Alabama
- Northern District of Alabama (N.D. Ala.)
- Middle District of Alabama (M.D. Ala.)
- Southern District of Alabama (S.D. Ala.)
Florida
- Northern District of Florida (N.D. Fla.)
- Middle District of Florida (M.D. Fla.)
- Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.)
Georgia
- Northern District of Georgia (N.D. Ga.)
- Middle District of Georgia (M.D. Ga.)
- Southern District of Georgia (S.D. Ga.)
Not sure which district has the case? Find the federal court.
Where does the court sit?
By law, the Eleventh Circuit holds regular sessions in Atlanta, Jacksonville and Montgomery (28 U.S.C. § 48(a)), and it may sit elsewhere in the circuit. Its headquarters is the Elbert P. Tuttle Courthouse, 56 Forsyth Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia. The court’s website is www.ca11.uscourts.gov.
Local rules that matter in criminal appeals
These points come from the court’s own rules: Eleventh Circuit Rules and Internal Operating Procedures (effective August 1, 2026). Rules change, so check the current version before relying on a deadline.
Faster briefing when release is near
The clerk may expedite briefing when an incarcerated defendant's projected release date is expected to come before the appeal ends (11th Cir. R. 31-4).
Counsel can't simply leave
Retained counsel for a criminal defendant must continue until successor counsel appears or is appointed, and may stop only by court order. Counsel appointed by the trial court is relieved on appeal only for incompatibility with the client or other serious circumstances (11th Cir. R. 46-10(a), (c)).
Deadlines that apply in every circuit
- Notice of appeal: 14 days for a defendant, 30 days for the government (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)).
- Ordering transcripts: within 14 days after filing the notice of appeal (Fed. R. App. P. 10(b)(1)).
- Rehearing: 14 days after judgment in a criminal case (Fed. R. App. P. 40(d)(1)).
- Certiorari: 90 days after judgment, or after the denial of a timely rehearing petition (Sup. Ct. R. 13.1, 13.3).
For the whole process, see how federal criminal appeals work.
Is Brandon Sample admitted in the Eleventh Circuit?
Yes. Brandon Sample, the founder of Criminal Center, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He has also handled federal cases in courts across the country.
Rules checked against the court’s official rules on October 18, 2026. This page is general information about federal appeals, not legal advice for any case.