Appealing one's sentence before the Appeals Court is a long shot in most cases. We recommend finding an expert lawyer that not only handles only appeals but one that specializes in the exact type of conviction your inmate was handed down. Appellate Court is no place for an inmate, nor will they be allowed to attend. This is for the prosecutor from the original case and your lawyer who will argue the points in the filing that got the hearing in the first place. Appellate courts are usually three judges who will grant between 10-30 minutes to state their case. The judges ask questions and challenge the prosecution as to the validity of the conviction and the merits of the opposition's appeal. Usually, the judges seem to appear to be bullying the prosecution during the questioning, making you think that there is a chance at a reversal, but it is almost always upheld unless the fault is so egregious that they HAVE to reverse.