IOP § III(E): Expedited Criminal Appeals
Rules of Appellate Procedure and Internal Operating Procedures of the Eighth Circuit — Internal Operating Procedures: III. Presubmission Appellate Process
A major concern of the Judicial Conference of the United States and of this court is the prompt disposition of criminal cases, both before the district courts and on appeal. See Speedy Trial Act of 1974, 18 U.S.C. §§ 3161-3174. The court of appeals and each district court in the Eighth Circuit now operate under a plan to expedite criminal cases. See Eighth Circuit Plan to Expedite Criminal Appeals. A copy of the Plan can be obtained from the "Rules and Publications" link on the court’s website. The clerk's office carefully monitors criminal case schedules and the court requires strict compliance with all deadlines. The court strives to decide all criminal appeals within six to eight months after the notice of appeal is filed.