Oral Argument and Expediting Appeals: A Compatible Combination

The purpose of this Article is to explore these issues in light of Sacramento’s experience with the expedited appeal procedure. The data presented here are drawn from an evaluation of the first twelve months of the procedure’s operation. This evaluation was based on court records of the more than one hundred cases that followed the expedited procedure to completion, in-person interviews with members of the court and court staff, and telephone interviews with participating attorneys. Part I briefly sets out the new procedure and the context in which this procedure was introduced and integrated. Part II discusses the conclusions that can be drawn from this experience with respect to the scope of a program of this nature, its most feasible features, and its quantitative and qualitative impact on the appellate process. Finally, Part III examines attorneys’ reactions to the program.