Rule 31.2. Notice of appeal; automatic appeal; joint appeals

a. Filing the Notice of Appeal. Unless a defendant has been sentenced to death, an appeal or cross-appeal shall be taken by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk of the trial court, within the time allowed by Rule 31.3.

b. Automatic Appeal When Defendant is Sentenced to Death. When a defendant has been sentenced to death, the clerk, pursuant to Rule 26.15, shall file a notice of appeal on his behalf at the time of entry of judgment and sentence. Such notice shall be sufficient as a notice of appeal by the defendant with respect to all judgments entered and sentences imposed in the case. Within 10 days after the filing of the notice of appeal in any capital case, the clerk of the superior court shall notify all authorized transcribers assigned to transcribe any portion of the proceedings that they are required to transmit their portions of the certified transcript to the clerk of the supreme court.

c. Joint Appeals. If 2 or more persons are entitled to appeal from a judgment or order of the Superior Court, and their interests are such as to make joinder practicable, they may file a joint notice of appeal, or may join in the appeal after filing separate timely notices of appeal, and proceed as in the case of a single appellant.

d. Content of the Notice of Appeal. Except as provided in Rule 31.2(b), the notice of appeal shall identify the order, judgment and sentence appealed from and shall be signed by the appellant or his attorney, if any, or by the prosecutor if the appeal or cross-appeal is taken by the state. If the appeal or cross-appeal is taken by the state, in whole or in part, based upon violation of a substantial right of the victim, the attorney for the state shall so state in the notice of appeal or opening brief or memorandum and shall certify that the victim has requested the appeal or cross-appeal, in whole or in part, on that basis.

e. Additional Information. The appellant should attach to the notice of appeal:

(1) The name and address of the defendant;

(2) The name and address of the attorney for the defendant, if any;

(3) The name and address (if known) of any co-defendant at trial; and,

(4) Whether the defendant was represented by appointed counsel at the determination of guilt or at sentencing.

f. Service of the Notice of Appeal.

(1) When Defendant Appeals. When a defendant appeals, within 8 days of the filing of the notice of appeal, the clerk of the trial court shall send a copy of the notice of appeal to the prosecutor of the county in which the defendant was tried, to the attorney general, to each co-defendant at trial who is not a joint-appellant and defendant's counsel of record, if any, to the appropriate certified court reporter or reporters, or to the court's designated transcript coordinator, if the record was made by electronic or other means, and to the clerk of the proper Appellate Court.

(2) When the State Appeals. When the state appeals or cross-appeals, within 8 days of the filing of the notice of appeal, the clerk of the trial court shall send a copy of the notice of appeal to each defendant and defendant's counsel of record, if any, to the appropriate certified court reporter or reporters, or to the court's designated transcript coordinator, if the record was made by electronic or other means, and to the clerk of the proper Appellate Court.

(3) Notice of Right to Counsel. The clerk shall include with any notice of appeal sent to a defendant, and shall send to a defendant filing notice of appeal pro se, a notice advising the defendant of his or her rights to counsel under Rule 6.

(4) Notice to the Appellate Court of Pending Post-Trial Motions. The clerk shall include with the copy of the notice of appeal sent to the Appellate Court, a copy of any motion filed by any party under Rule 24 which has not yet been decided by the trial court.

(5) Manner of Service. The notice of appeal shall be sent to the defendant at his or her address of record or at his or her place of incarceration and to his or her counsel of record.

g. Entry by the Clerk. The clerk shall make an entry in the docket when a notice of appeal is filed and shall note whether the defendant had appointed counsel at the determination of guilt or at sentencing. The clerk shall also enter in the docket the names and addresses of the parties to whom copies of the notice of appeal are mailed together with the date of mailing.

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