Criminal Procedure

Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse; 111 South 10th Street Room 24.329 St. Louis, MO. 63102

PHONE: (314) 244-2400  FAX: (314) 244-2780

Criminal Case Briefing Checklist    

• Before filing a brief in the 8th Circuit review the provisions of FRAP 28,29,31,&32 as well as 8th Circuit Rules 25A, 28A and 32A and the Plan to Expedite Criminal Appeals.

Record on Appeal in Criminal Cases 

• Refer to the Plan to Expedite Criminal Appeals, a supplement to the Eighth Circuit Local Rules. Note carefully the distinction between appeals of cases not tried or tried in three days or less, and those cases tried in four or more days.

Pointers in Preparing Briefs 

• In an attempt to help avoid common mistakes, the Clerk offers the following list of tips for brief preparation. Since the list is not inclusive of all of the technical requirements of a brief, please review Fed. R. App. P. 28 and 32, Eighth Circuit R. 28A, and the court’s briefing checklist before preparing your brief. Sample briefs may be obtained by contacting the Clerk’s Office.

Transcripts in CJA Cases 

Rule 22A: Death Penalty Cases 

• This rule applies to any challenge to a state court order imposing a sentence of death.

Plan to Expedite Criminal Appeals 

Plan to Implement the Criminal Justice Act of 1964   

• Pursuant to 18 USC 3006A for the representation on appeal of any person financially unable to obtain adequate representation under specified circumstances.

Eighth Circuit Model Criminal Jury Instructions  

• The Eighth Circuit Judicial Committee on Model Jury Instructions 2014 Edition supersedes all prior editions. The purpose of this Manual is to help judges communicate more effectively with juries. We recognize that the manner of instructing a jury varies widely among judges, but these models are offered as clear, brief and simple instructions calculated to maximize jury comprehension. They are available to judges and litigants to be used in their discretion in tailoring the instructions in a particular case. These are intended to be model, not mandatory, instructions and should be modied as appropriate to more clearly and precisely present issues to the jury.

Model Death Penalty Jury Instructions

Juror Questionnaire   

• This Juror Questionnaire was prepared by the Criminal Jury Instruction Subcommittee to assist counsel. It includes the basic questions necessary to qualify a capital jury.   It has not been approved by the Eighth Circuit Committee on Model Jury Instructions.

CJA Information and  CJA Forms & Instructions