When must a notice of appeal be filed in cases of an indictable offense?

The requirement that a notice of appeal must be filed as part of the appeal process is grounded in the procedures that govern how appeals are initiated in criminal law, particularly for indictable offenses. Once a defendant has been convicted of an indictable offense and has identified grounds for appeal, filing a notice of appeal is a necessary step to formally communicate the intent to contest the conviction or sentence to the appellate court.

This notice serves to preserve the right to appeal, ensuring that the appellate court has jurisdiction over the case. It is a procedural safeguard that provides the court with the formal documentation needed to address the appeal. Moreover, specific time frames for filing this notice are prescribed by law, which emphasizes the importance of this step in the overall appeal process.

Filing a notice of appeal only after the trial has ended or at the time of arraignment does not align with established procedures since these moments do not align with the timing and requirements for initiating an appeal. Additionally, the assertion that a notice of appeal is not required for indictable offenses is inaccurate, as appeals can and often do occur in such cases, contingent upon the legal framework guiding them.