Rule 5.1 Purpose of Procedures

If you already had your criminal case decided and later filed a request for post-conviction relief in District Court, this rule explains what happens next if you want to appeal that court's decision. It sets out the steps you need to follow to bring your case to the Court of Criminal Appeals after the District Court has ruled on your post-conviction application.

This rule only applies to non-capital cases, meaning cases where the death penalty is not involved. If you have a capital case, different rules apply, and you would need to look at Section IX instead.

Basically, this rule is the starting point that tells you these procedures exist and points you to where you fit based on your type of case. It does not give you all the specific deadlines or steps, but it lets you know you're in the right place if you're appealing a post-conviction ruling in a regular criminal case.