Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form CR-142, Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal (Infraction)
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.
CR-142 is part of the
California court forms, court appeal forms and criminal record forms categories on Instafill.
Form Complexity Index
Basic
41 / 100
| Fillable fields | 65 |
| Pages | 4 |
| Fields per page | 16 |
| Sections | — |
| Conditional rules | — |
| Tables & lists | — |
| Instruction pages | — |
| Instafill Form ID | IF-FORM-CR-142-NOTICE-OF-APPEAL-AND-RECORD-ON-APPEAL-INFRACTION |
CR-142 has a basic Form Complexity Index of 41/100 — 65 fillable fields across 4 pages. Instafill’s AI completes it accurately in under a minute.
Form specifications
| Form name: | Form CR-142, Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal (Infraction) |
| Number of fields: | 65 |
| Number of pages: | 1 |
| FCI: | Basic (41/100) |
| Language: | English |
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How to Fill Out CR-142 Online for Free in 2026
Are you looking to fill out a CR-142 form online quickly and accurately? Instafill.ai offers the #1 AI-powered PDF filling software of 2026, allowing you to complete your CR-142 form in just 37 seconds or less.
Follow these steps to fill out your CR-142 form online using Instafill.ai:
- 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.
Our AI-powered system ensures each field is filled out correctly, reducing errors and saving you time.
Why Choose Instafill.ai for Your Fillable CR-142 Form?
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Frequently Asked Questions About CR-142
CR-142 has a Form Complexity Index of 41 out of 100, placing it in the basic complexity tier. This score is calculated deterministically from the form’s own structure using Instafill’s published Form Complexity Index methodology, so it can be reproduced and independently verified — it is not a subjective estimate.
For CR-142 specifically, the score reflects 65 fillable fields across 4 pages. The number of fields is the largest factor in the base score (weighted 36%), followed by how difficult those fields are to complete based on their type, where free-text and signature fields count for more than simple checkboxes (26%). The number of pages that actually contain fields (15%), the amount of conditional “fill-only-if” logic (16%), and how many sections the form is divided into (7%) account for the rest of the base. On top of that base, the index adds points for tables and repeating lists, bundled instruction pages, and dense page layouts — capturing difficulty the base alone can miss.
In practical terms, a basic score means the form is relatively light, but still needs careful, accurate entry. Instafill removes that effort entirely: our AI reads your information, maps each value to the correct field — including the conditional ones — and completes CR-142 accurately in under a minute, with every field available for you to review before you download. See exactly how the Form Complexity Index is calculated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to accurately auto-fill form fields, which can save you time and help you avoid common mistakes.
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.
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.
Compliance CR-142
Validation Checks by Instafill.ai
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Initials for 'Without Record' Acknowledgment
This check confirms that if the appellant chooses to proceed 'WITHOUT a record of the oral proceedings' (Section 4a), they have provided their initials in the designated space. The initials serve as a formal acknowledgment of understanding the consequences, namely that the appellate division cannot consider what was said in court. Failure to initial may indicate the appellant did not fully review this critical choice.
8
Exclusive Record Type Selection
Validates that if Section 5 is filled out, only one of the primary record types (5a, 5b, 5c, or 5d) is selected. The appellant must choose a single method for providing the record of oral proceedings. Selecting multiple types would create a conflicting and costly request, halting the appeal process until clarified.
9
Free Record Request Attachment Check
If the appellant requests a transcript or recording at no cost (by checking option 5b(2), 5c(2), or 5d(4)), this validation flags that 'Defendant’s Financial Statement' (form CR-105) must be attached. This is crucial for the court to determine financial eligibility for a free record. Without the attached form, the request for a free record cannot be evaluated, and the record will not be prepared.
10
Lawyer Information Requirement
If the radio button indicating the lawyer 'is representing the appellant in this appeal' (Section 1c) is selected, this check makes the lawyer's name and State Bar number mandatory fields. This is essential for the court to properly identify and communicate with the official legal counsel on record. Missing this information would create ambiguity about legal representation.
11
Phone Number Format Validation
This check ensures the phone number entered in the appellant's contact information (Section 1b) conforms to a standard US phone number format. Proper formatting is important for data integrity and ensures the court has a reliable means of contacting the appellant if urgent questions arise. An incorrectly formatted number could lead to communication failures.
12
Email Address Format Validation
Verifies that any email address provided in Section 1b or 1c is in a valid format (i.e., contains an '@' symbol and a domain). As courts increasingly use electronic communication, a valid email address is vital for delivering notices and updates. An invalid format would cause all electronic correspondence to fail.
13
Case Information Consistency Across Pages
This validation cross-references the 'Trial Court Case Name' and 'Trial Court Case Number' fields in the headers of pages 2, 3, and 4 against the values entered on page 1. It ensures that the identifying case information is consistent throughout the entire document. Discrepancies could lead to pages being misfiled or the document being rejected for internal inconsistency.
14
Signature and Date Presence
Confirms that the signature and date fields on the final page are not empty. An appeal notice is a legal document that is invalid without a signature and the date of signing. Failure to sign and date the form will result in its immediate rejection by the court clerk.
Common Mistakes in Completing CR-142
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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