The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit hears appeals from the federal district courts in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin (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 Seventh Circuit covers 7 federal districts:
Illinois
- Northern District of Illinois (N.D. Ill.)
- Central District of Illinois (C.D. Ill.)
- Southern District of Illinois (S.D. Ill.)
Indiana
- Northern District of Indiana (N.D. Ind.)
- Southern District of Indiana (S.D. Ind.)
Wisconsin
- Eastern District of Wisconsin (E.D. Wis.)
- Western District of Wisconsin (W.D. Wis.)
Not sure which district has the case? Find the federal court.
Where does the court sit?
By law, the Seventh Circuit holds regular sessions in Chicago (28 U.S.C. § 48(a)), and it may sit elsewhere in the circuit. Its headquarters is the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois. The court’s website is www.ca7.uscourts.gov.
Local rules that matter in criminal appeals
These points come from the court’s own rules: Seventh Circuit Rules (with the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure) (as amended to December 1, 2025). Rules change, so check the current version before relying on a deadline.
Anders briefs: notice by certified mail
Appointed counsel in a direct criminal appeal who files a brief calling the appeal frivolous and moves to withdraw must include the defendant's current address. The clerk mails the defendant the brief and motion with a notice, and if the defendant doesn't respond within 30 days, the appeal may be dismissed (7th Cir. R. 51(b), (c)).
Ending an appeal requires the defendant's signed consent
A criminal appeal can be dismissed voluntarily after the defendant consults with counsel and signs an acknowledgment and consent in the form the rules provide (7th Cir. R. 51(e)).
The judge's oral reasons go in the appendix
The appendix bound with the opening brief must include the judgment and any oral statement of reasons the district judge gave, and any transcript portion with the judge's reasons for an oral ruling the brief challenges (7th Cir. R. 30(a), (b)(1)).
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 Seventh Circuit?
Yes. Brandon Sample, the founder of Criminal Center, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh 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.