Appeal and Post-Conviction Motions Guidance, State Public Defender (Colorado)

The Colorado State Public Defender explains here how a client gets appellate representation and what post-conviction options exist. The appellate division handles felony appeals while trial offices usually handle misdemeanor and mid-case appeals. A person previously represented by private counsel who is now financially eligible can ask the district court to appoint the public defender for a felony appeal and should submit the appellate packet within 20 days of sentencing or of the order being appealed. The notice of appeal must be filed with the appellate court within 49 days of sentencing for a district court conviction and 35 days for a county court conviction. The page describes Crim. P. 35(a), 35(b) and 35(c) motions, notes the 126-day deadlines for 35(b) and for illegal-manner 35(a) claims, and states there is no constitutional right to appointed counsel on a 35(c), so counsel must be requested from the trial court using Form 4.