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Form CR-142, Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal (Infraction), page 1
Basic · 41/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

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Form CR-142, Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal (Infraction), is a legal document used in California to formally begin the process of appealing a court's decision in an infraction case. It is crucial for individuals who wish to challenge a judgment, like a traffic ticket conviction, and must be filed within 30 days of the court's ruling. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields65
Pages4
Form Complexity IndexBasic, 41/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

14 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Appellant Information Completeness

This check verifies that the appellant's name (Section 1a) and all required contact information fields in Section 1b (Street address, City, State, Zip, and Phone) are filled out. This information is critical for the court to identify and communicate with the party filing the appeal. A failure in this validation would render the form incomplete and could lead to its rejection.

Trial Court Case Identification

Ensures that both the 'Trial Court Case Number' and 'Trial Court Case Name' fields are completed on the first page. These identifiers are the primary method for linking the appeal to the original infraction case. Without this information, the clerk's office cannot process the appeal, as they would not know which judgment to review.

Exclusive Judgment/Order Selection

Validates that only one of the three options (a, b, or c) in Section 2, 'Judgment or Order You Are Appealing,' is selected. The form requires the appellant to appeal a specific action. Selecting multiple options creates ambiguity and prevents the court from understanding the precise subject of the appeal, leading to processing delays or rejection.

Conditional Judgment/Order Details

This is a logical check on Section 2. If 'the final judgment' (2a) or 'an order made by the trial court after judgment' (2b) is checked, the corresponding date field must be filled. If 'Other' (2c) is checked, the description text box must be filled. This ensures that the choice made is substantiated with the necessary details for the court to proceed.

Valid Judgment/Order Date Format

Verifies that any date entered in Section 2 ('The trial court issued this judgment on' or '...this order on') follows a valid date format (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY). An invalid date format can cause data entry errors and confusion regarding the timeliness of the appeal, which must be filed within 30 days of the judgment.

Record of Proceedings Choice Logic

Ensures that if the appellant elects to proceed 'WITH a record of the oral proceedings' (Section 4b), then exactly one choice is made in Section 5 (a, b, c, or d). Conversely, if the choice is 'WITHOUT a record' (Section 4a), Section 5 must be empty. This prevents contradictory or incomplete requests regarding the record on appeal.

And 8 more checks
  • Initials for 'Without Record' Acknowledgment
  • Exclusive Record Type Selection
  • Free Record Request Attachment Check
  • Lawyer Information Requirement
  • Phone Number Format Validation
  • Email Address Format Validation
  • Case Information Consistency Across Pages
  • Signature and Date Presence

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How to Fill Out CR-142 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select the CR-142 Notice of Appeal form.
  2. Provide your personal information, your lawyer's details (if applicable), and the trial court case name and number.
  3. Specify the exact judgment or order you are appealing and the date it was issued by the trial court.
  4. Elect whether to proceed with or without a record of the oral proceedings from the trial court.
  5. If you choose to include a record, select the type (e.g., Statement on Appeal, transcript) and indicate how you will cover the cost or if you are requesting a fee waiver.
  6. Carefully review all the information populated by the AI for accuracy, then electronically sign and date the form.
  7. Download the completed CR-142 and file it with the correct trial court clerk's office within the legal deadline.

Common Mistakes in Completing CR-142

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Missing the 30-Day Filing Deadline
The form must be filed no later than 30 days after the trial court's judgment or order. Appellants often miscalculate this date or wait until the last minute, risking their appeal being rejected as untimely. A late filing will not be accepted by the court under almost any circumstance, meaning the right to appeal is permanently lost. To avoid this, calculate the deadline immediately upon receiving the judgment and file the form well in advance.
Entering Incorrect Trial Court Information
Appellants sometimes mistakenly enter the wrong court name or an incorrect trial court case number in the header section. This often happens when copying information by hand from other documents. An error in this critical identifying information can lead to the form being rejected by the clerk or misfiled, causing significant delays that could jeopardize the appeal deadline. Always double-check the case number and court name against official court documents to ensure accuracy.
Omitting Required Appellant Contact Information
Section 1b requires the appellant's full contact information, including address, phone number, and email. People frequently leave parts of this section blank, assuming one method of contact is sufficient. The court and opposing counsel use this information for all official correspondence, and missing details can lead to missed notices, hearings, or deadlines, which could result in the appeal being dismissed. Fill out every field completely to ensure you receive all communications.
Failing to Specify the Date of Judgment or Order
In Section 2, the appellant must check what is being appealed and provide the exact date the judgment or order was issued. Forgetting to enter this date is a common oversight. This date is essential for the court to verify that the appeal is filed within the 30-day limit. An omission here will likely cause the clerk to return the form, forcing a refiling that risks missing the deadline.
Misunderstanding the 'Record of Oral Proceedings' Election
In Section 4, choosing to proceed 'WITHOUT a record of the oral proceedings' (option 4a) is a binding decision that prevents the appellate court from reviewing what was said at trial. Many appellants select this option to save time or money, not realizing it severely cripples their ability to argue that an error occurred during the hearing. To avoid this, carefully consider if your appeal depends on anything said in court; if it does, you must elect to proceed 'WITH' a record and complete Section 5.
Forgetting to Initial the Record Election in Section 4
Both choices in Section 4 require the appellant to write their initials in the designated box to acknowledge their decision about the record. This small but crucial step is easily overlooked. A missing initial makes the election invalid and can lead to the form being rejected as incomplete, forcing the appellant to correct and refile the form under the pressure of the 30-day deadline.
Requesting an Unavailable Type of Record in Section 5
Appellants often select a record type in Section 5, such as a 'Reporter's Transcript' or 'Official Electronic Recording,' without first confirming its availability with the court. Many infraction proceedings do not have a court reporter or official recording. Choosing an unavailable option wastes critical time and can cause you to miss deadlines for preparing an alternative record, like a 'Statement on Appeal,' effectively dooming the appeal. Always contact the trial court clerk to verify which record options are available before filling out this section.
Failing to Complete Follow-Up Actions for the Chosen Record
Selecting a record type in Section 5 initiates a new set of responsibilities with their own deadlines, which are often missed. For example, if you choose 'Statement on Appeal' but don't attach it, you have only 20 days to file it; if you elect to pay for a transcript, you must deposit the funds promptly. Failure to complete these necessary follow-up actions will result in the record not being prepared, leaving the appellate court with nothing to review. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can help manage complex forms by making them easily fillable and highlighting required actions.
Forgetting to Include Required Attachments
Several options on the form are invalid unless a separate document is attached, such as the financial statement (Form CR-105) when requesting a fee waiver, or a proposed statement on appeal. Appellants frequently check a box but forget to attach the corresponding document. This renders the request incomplete, causing delays and potentially voiding the selection if not corrected in time. Create a checklist of all required attachments before filing.
Leaving Header Information Blank on Subsequent Pages
The 'Trial Court Case Name' and 'Trial Court Case Number' fields appear at the top of all four pages, but filers often only complete them on the first page. These headers are necessary to keep the document organized and ensure no pages are lost. Submitting a form with incomplete headers on later pages can cause administrative confusion and may lead to rejection. Using an AI form-filler like Instafill.ai can prevent this by automatically populating repetitive information across all pages of the document.
Submitting an Unsigned or Undated Form
A signature and date are required on the final page to certify the information and formally file the appeal. In the rush to file, appellants sometimes forget to sign or date the form. An unsigned form is legally invalid and will be rejected by the court, forcing a refiling that could fall outside the strict 30-day appeal window and cause the appeal to be permanently barred.

Frequently Asked Questions About CR-142

 

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Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your CR-142: your own AI agent fills it as often as 5 times a month. To fill other forms and upload your own, choose a Professional plan from your account.
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From your account, in two clicks, any time. No email, no call.
How does the AI fill out CR-142?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of CR-142, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is CR-142 to fill out?
CR-142 has a Form Complexity Index of 41 out of 100, in the basic tier: 65 fillable fields across 4 pages. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is the purpose of Form CR-142, Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal?
This form is used to officially start the appeal process for a judgment or order made in an infraction case, such as a traffic ticket, in a California Superior Court.
What is the deadline to file this form?
You must file this form no later than 30 days after the trial court issued the judgment or order you are appealing. If your notice is late, the court will not hear your appeal.
Can I use this form to appeal a misdemeanor conviction?
No, this form is only for appealing in an infraction case. You must use different forms to appeal a misdemeanor or civil case, which are available from the court.
Where do I submit the completed Form CR-142?
You must take or mail the completed form to the clerk’s office for the same trial court that issued the judgment or order you are appealing. It is recommended to have an extra copy stamped by the clerk for your records.
What is the 'record of oral proceedings' and do I have to provide one?
This is the record of what was said in the trial court, and providing it is optional. However, if you do not provide it, the appellate court cannot consider what was said during the trial when reviewing your case for errors.
What are my options for the 'record of oral proceedings' in Section 5?
You can choose a 'Statement on Appeal' (a written summary), a transcript from an official electronic recording, a copy of the recording itself, or a reporter's transcript if a court reporter was present. Check with the trial court to see which options are available for your case.
What if I cannot afford to pay for a transcript or court recording?
You can request that the record be provided at no cost by completing and attaching Form CR-105, 'Defendant’s Financial Statement'. The court will review your financial situation to determine if you are eligible for a fee waiver.
What other form should I read before filling this one out?
You should read 'Information on Appeal Procedures for Infractions' (form CR-141-INFO) before you begin. This document explains your rights, responsibilities, and the overall appeal process.
What happens if I choose to provide a 'Statement on Appeal' but don't attach it to this notice?
If you do not attach your proposed Statement on Appeal (Form CR-143), you must file it with the trial court within 20 days of filing this notice. If you fail to do so, the court may proceed with the appeal based only on the documents in the clerk's file.
What basic information do I need to fill out the top of the form?
You will need the trial court case number, the case name, and the name and address of the court that handled your case. You also need to provide your personal contact information.
Can AI tools help me fill out this form?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to accurately auto-fill form fields, which can save you time and help you avoid common mistakes.
How can I fill out Form CR-142 online?
You can use a service like Instafill.ai to complete the form online. Simply upload the PDF, and the platform will make the fields interactive for you to fill out on your computer before downloading.
The PDF of this form I downloaded isn't fillable. What should I do?
If you have a non-fillable or 'flat' PDF, you can upload it to a service like Instafill.ai. Its technology can convert the document into an interactive, fillable form for you.
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