Respondent’s Brief

Timeline

• The brief of a respondent in a civil case should be filed with the appellate court within 30 days after service of the brief of the appellant or petitioner.
• The brief of a respondent in a criminal case should be filed with the appellate court within 60 days after the service of the brief of the appellant or petitioner.
• If a pro se supplemental brief is filed, the state shall, within 30 days after receiving service, file a supplemental response addressing any of the issues raised in the pro se supplemental brief or stating that no response is necessary.

Content

The respondent’s brief shall contain:

• Title page
• Tables
• Assignments of error
• Statement of the case
• Argument
• Conclusion
• Appendix

*note: A statement of the issues and a statement of the case need not be made if respondent is satisfied with the statement in the brief of an appellant or petitioner

Format Specifications: See RAP 10.4

A respondent’s brief should not exceed 50 pages in length. For discussion of the following topics relative to briefs, see RAP 10.4:

• Text of statute, rule, jury instruction, or the like,
• Motion in brief,
• Reference to party,
• Reference to Record,
• Citations,
• Unpublished opinions

Corresponding RAP Rules: 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 18.6

Form: Yes, see brief sample.