diff --git a/go-backend/cmd/api/main.go b/go-backend/cmd/api/main.go
index 5b14f1c..71d49c1 100644
--- a/go-backend/cmd/api/main.go
+++ b/go-backend/cmd/api/main.go
@@ -117,6 +117,9 @@ func main() {
 	moderationConfig := config.NewModerationConfig()
 	moderationService := services.NewModerationService(dbPool, moderationConfig.OpenAIKey, moderationConfig.GoogleKey)
 
+	// Initialize appeal service
+	appealService := services.NewAppealService(dbPool)
+
 	hub := realtime.NewHub()
 	wsHandler := handlers.NewWSHandler(hub, cfg.JWTSecret)
 
@@ -129,6 +132,7 @@ func main() {
 	backupHandler := handlers.NewBackupHandler(repository.NewBackupRepository(dbPool))
 	settingsHandler := handlers.NewSettingsHandler(userRepo, notifRepo)
 	analysisHandler := handlers.NewAnalysisHandler()
+	appealHandler := handlers.NewAppealHandler(appealService)
 
 	var s3Client *s3.Client
 	if cfg.R2AccessKey != "" && cfg.R2SecretKey != "" && cfg.R2Endpoint != "" {
@@ -322,6 +326,23 @@ func main() {
 			authorized.POST("/notifications/device", notificationHandler.RegisterDevice)
 			authorized.DELETE("/notifications/device", notificationHandler.UnregisterDevice)
 			authorized.DELETE("/notifications/devices", notificationHandler.UnregisterAllDevices)
+
+			// Appeal System routes
+			appeals := authorized.Group("/appeals")
+			{
+				appeals.GET("", appealHandler.GetUserViolations)
+				appeals.GET("/summary", appealHandler.GetUserViolationSummary)
+				appeals.POST("", appealHandler.CreateAppeal)
+				appeals.GET("/:id", appealHandler.GetAppeal)
+			}
+
+			// Admin appeal routes
+			adminAppeals := authorized.Group("/admin/appeals")
+			{
+				adminAppeals.GET("/pending", appealHandler.GetPendingAppeals)
+				adminAppeals.PATCH("/:id/review", appealHandler.ReviewAppeal)
+				adminAppeals.GET("/stats", appealHandler.GetAppealStats)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/database/migrations/20260205000002_user_appeal_system.up.sql b/go-backend/internal/database/migrations/20260205000002_user_appeal_system.up.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ab8a95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/database/migrations/20260205000002_user_appeal_system.up.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+-- User Appeal System Migration
+-- Creates tables for tracking user violations, appeals, and ban management
+
+-- User Violations Table
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_violations (
+    id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    user_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    moderation_flag_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES moderation_flags(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    violation_type VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL CHECK (violation_type IN ('hard_violation', 'soft_violation')),
+    violation_reason TEXT NOT NULL,
+    severity_score DECIMAL(3,2) NOT NULL CHECK (severity_score >= 0.0 AND severity_score <= 1.0),
+    is_appealable BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false,
+    appeal_deadline TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE,
+    status VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'active' CHECK (status IN ('active', 'appealed', 'upheld', 'overturned', 'expired')),
+    created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
+    updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW()
+);
+
+-- User Appeals Table
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_appeals (
+    id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    user_violation_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES user_violations(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    user_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    appeal_reason TEXT NOT NULL,
+    appeal_context TEXT,
+    evidence_urls JSONB DEFAULT '[]',
+    status VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending' CHECK (status IN ('pending', 'reviewing', 'approved', 'rejected', 'withdrawn')),
+    reviewed_by UUID REFERENCES directus_users(id),
+    review_decision TEXT,
+    reviewed_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE,
+    created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
+    updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW()
+);
+
+-- User Violation History (for tracking patterns)
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_violation_history (
+    id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    user_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    violation_date DATE NOT NULL,
+    total_violations INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    hard_violations INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    soft_violations INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    appeals_filed INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    appeals_upheld INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    appeals_overturned INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+    current_status VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'active' CHECK (current_status IN ('active', 'suspended', 'banned')),
+    ban_expiry TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE,
+    created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
+    updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
+    UNIQUE(user_id, violation_date)
+);
+
+-- Appeal Guidelines (configurable rules)
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS appeal_guidelines (
+    id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    violation_type VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL,
+    max_appeals_per_month INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 3,
+    appeal_window_hours INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 72,
+    auto_ban_threshold INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 5,
+    hard_violation_ban_threshold INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 2,
+    is_active BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT true,
+    created_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW(),
+    updated_at TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE DEFAULT NOW()
+);
+
+-- Insert default appeal guidelines
+INSERT INTO appeal_guidelines (violation_type, max_appeals_per_month, appeal_window_hours, auto_ban_threshold, hard_violation_ban_threshold)
+VALUES 
+('hard_violation', 0, 0, 5, 2),
+('soft_violation', 3, 72, 8, 3)
+ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING;
+
+-- Indexes for performance
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_violations_user_id ON user_violations(user_id);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_violations_status ON user_violations(status);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_violations_created_at ON user_violations(created_at);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_appeals_user_id ON user_appeals(user_id);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_appeals_status ON user_appeals(status);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_violation_history_user_id ON user_violation_history(user_id);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_user_violation_history_date ON user_violation_history(violation_date);
+
+-- Functions to automatically detect violation type and create violations
+CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION create_user_violation(
+    p_user_id UUID,
+    p_moderation_flag_id UUID,
+    p_flag_reason TEXT,
+    p_scores JSONB
+) RETURNS UUID AS $$
+DECLARE
+    v_violation_id UUID;
+    v_violation_type TEXT;
+    v_severity DECIMAL;
+    v_is_appealable BOOLEAN;
+    v_appeal_deadline TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE;
+BEGIN
+    -- Determine violation type based on scores and reason
+    CASE 
+        WHEN p_flag_reason IN ('hate') AND (p_scores->>'hate')::DECIMAL > 0.8 THEN
+            BEGIN
+                v_violation_type := 'hard_violation';
+                v_severity := (p_scores->>'hate')::DECIMAL;
+                v_is_appealable := false;
+                v_appeal_deadline := NULL;
+            END;
+        WHEN p_flag_reason IN ('hate', 'violence', 'sexual') AND (p_scores->>'hate')::DECIMAL > 0.6 THEN
+            BEGIN
+                v_violation_type := 'hard_violation';
+                v_severity := GREATEST((p_scores->>'hate')::DECIMAL, (p_scores->>'greed')::DECIMAL, (p_scores->>'delusion')::DECIMAL);
+                v_is_appealable := false;
+                v_appeal_deadline := NULL;
+            END;
+        ELSE
+            BEGIN
+                v_violation_type := 'soft_violation';
+                v_severity := GREATEST((p_scores->>'hate')::DECIMAL, (p_scores->>'greed')::DECIMAL, (p_scores->>'delusion')::DECIMAL);
+                v_is_appealable := true;
+                v_appeal_deadline := NOW() + (SELECT appeal_window_hours FROM appeal_guidelines WHERE violation_type = 'soft_violation' AND is_active = true LIMIT 1) * INTERVAL '1 hour';
+            END;
+    END CASE;
+    
+    -- Create the violation record
+    INSERT INTO user_violations (user_id, moderation_flag_id, violation_type, violation_reason, severity_score, is_appealable, appeal_deadline)
+    VALUES (p_user_id, p_moderation_flag_id, v_violation_type, p_flag_reason, v_severity, v_is_appealable, v_appeal_deadline)
+    RETURNING id INTO v_violation_id;
+    
+    -- Update violation history
+    INSERT INTO user_violation_history (user_id, violation_date, total_violations, hard_violations, soft_violations)
+    VALUES (p_user_id, CURRENT_DATE, 1, 
+            CASE WHEN v_violation_type = 'hard_violation' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END,
+            CASE WHEN v_violation_type = 'soft_violation' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)
+    ON CONFLICT (user_id, violation_date) 
+    DO UPDATE SET
+        total_violations = user_violation_history.total_violations + 1,
+        hard_violations = user_violation_history.hard_violations + CASE WHEN v_violation_type = 'hard_violation' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END,
+        soft_violations = user_violation_history.soft_violations + CASE WHEN v_violation_type = 'soft_violation' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END,
+        updated_at = NOW();
+    
+    -- Check for auto-ban conditions
+    PERFORM check_user_ban_status(p_user_id);
+    
+    RETURN v_violation_id;
+END;
+$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;
+
+-- Function to check if user should be banned
+CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION check_user_ban_status(p_user_id UUID) RETURNS BOOLEAN AS $$
+DECLARE
+    v_hard_count INTEGER;
+    v_total_count INTEGER;
+    v_ban_threshold INTEGER;
+    v_hard_ban_threshold INTEGER;
+BEGIN
+    -- Get counts from last 30 days
+    SELECT COUNT(*), SUM(CASE WHEN violation_type = 'hard_violation' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)
+    INTO v_total_count, v_hard_count
+    FROM user_violations 
+    WHERE user_id = p_user_id 
+    AND created_at >= NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days';
+    
+    -- Get thresholds
+    SELECT auto_ban_threshold, hard_violation_ban_threshold
+    INTO v_ban_threshold, v_hard_ban_threshold
+    FROM appeal_guidelines 
+    WHERE is_active = true 
+    LIMIT 1;
+    
+    -- Check ban conditions
+    IF v_hard_count >= v_hard_ban_threshold OR v_total_count >= v_ban_threshold THEN
+        -- Ban the user
+        UPDATE users 
+        SET status = 'banned', updated_at = NOW()
+        WHERE id = p_user_id;
+        
+        -- Update violation history
+        UPDATE user_violation_history 
+        SET current_status = 'banned', updated_at = NOW()
+        WHERE user_id = p_user_id AND violation_date = CURRENT_DATE;
+        
+        RETURN true;
+    END IF;
+    
+    RETURN false;
+END;
+$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;
+
+-- Add to Directus collections
+INSERT INTO directus_collections (collection, icon, note, hidden, singleton) VALUES 
+('user_violations', 'warning', 'User violations and moderation records', false, false),
+('user_appeals', 'gavel', 'User appeals for moderation decisions', false, false),
+('user_violation_history', 'history', 'Daily violation history for users', false, false),
+('appeal_guidelines', 'settings', 'Configurable appeal system guidelines', false, false)
+ON CONFLICT (collection) DO NOTHING;
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/handlers/appeal_handler.go b/go-backend/internal/handlers/appeal_handler.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22cc1f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/handlers/appeal_handler.go
@@ -0,0 +1,252 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+	"strconv"
+
+	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/patbritton/sojorn-backend/internal/models"
+	"github.com/patbritton/sojorn-backend/internal/services"
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog/log"
+)
+
+type AppealHandler struct {
+	appealService *services.AppealService
+}
+
+func NewAppealHandler(appealService *services.AppealService) *AppealHandler {
+	return &AppealHandler{
+		appealService: appealService,
+	}
+}
+
+// GetUserViolations returns the current user's violation history
+func (h *AppealHandler) GetUserViolations(c *gin.Context) {
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	userID, err := uuid.Parse(userIDStr.(string))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Parse pagination
+	limit, _ := strconv.Atoi(c.DefaultQuery("limit", "20"))
+	offset, _ := strconv.Atoi(c.DefaultQuery("offset", "0"))
+
+	if limit > 100 {
+		limit = 100
+	}
+
+	violations, err := h.appealService.GetUserViolations(c.Request.Context(), userID, limit, offset)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to get user violations")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to get violations"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{
+		"violations": violations,
+		"limit":      limit,
+		"offset":     offset,
+	})
+}
+
+// GetUserViolationSummary returns a summary of user's violation status
+func (h *AppealHandler) GetUserViolationSummary(c *gin.Context) {
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	userID, err := uuid.Parse(userIDStr.(string))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	summary, err := h.appealService.GetUserViolationSummary(c.Request.Context(), userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to get user violation summary")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to get violation summary"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, summary)
+}
+
+// CreateAppeal creates an appeal for a violation
+func (h *AppealHandler) CreateAppeal(c *gin.Context) {
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	userID, err := uuid.Parse(userIDStr.(string))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req models.UserAppealRequest
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Validate appeal reason length
+	if len(req.AppealReason) < 10 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Appeal reason must be at least 10 characters"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	if len(req.AppealReason) > 1000 {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Appeal reason must be less than 1000 characters"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Create appeal
+	appeal, err := h.appealService.CreateAppeal(c.Request.Context(), userID, &req)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to create appeal")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusCreated, gin.H{"appeal": appeal})
+}
+
+// GetAppeal returns details of a specific appeal
+func (h *AppealHandler) GetAppeal(c *gin.Context) {
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	userID, err := uuid.Parse(userIDStr.(string))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid user ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	appealID, err := uuid.Parse(c.Param("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid appeal ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Get violation first to check if user owns it
+	violationID, err := uuid.Parse(c.Query("violation_id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid violation ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	violations, err := h.appealService.GetUserViolations(c.Request.Context(), userID, 1, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to get user violations")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to get violations"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Check if user has access to this violation
+	hasAccess := false
+	for _, violation := range violations {
+		if violation.ID == violationID {
+			hasAccess = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	if !hasAccess {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Access denied"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	appeal, err := h.appealService.GetAppealForViolation(c.Request.Context(), violationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to get appeal")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusNotFound, gin.H{"error": "Appeal not found"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"appeal": appeal})
+}
+
+// Admin: GetPendingAppeals returns all pending appeals for admin review
+func (h *AppealHandler) GetPendingAppeals(c *gin.Context) {
+	// Check if user is admin
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	isAdmin, _ := c.Get("is_admin")
+	if !isAdmin.(bool) {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Admin access required"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Parse pagination
+	limit, _ := strconv.Atoi(c.DefaultQuery("limit", "50"))
+	offset, _ := strconv.Atoi(c.DefaultQuery("offset", "0"))
+
+	if limit > 100 {
+		limit = 100
+	}
+
+	// This would need to be implemented in the service
+	// For now, return a placeholder
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{
+		"appeals": []interface{}{},
+		"limit":   limit,
+		"offset":  offset,
+		"total":   0,
+	})
+}
+
+// Admin: ReviewAppeal allows admin to review and decide on an appeal
+func (h *AppealHandler) ReviewAppeal(c *gin.Context) {
+	// Check if user is admin
+	userIDStr, _ := c.Get("user_id")
+	adminID, err := uuid.Parse(userIDStr.(string))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid admin ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	isAdmin, _ := c.Get("is_admin")
+	if !isAdmin.(bool) {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Admin access required"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	appealID, err := uuid.Parse(c.Param("id"))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "Invalid appeal ID"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	var req struct {
+		Decision       string `json:"decision" binding:"required,oneof=approved rejected"`
+		ReviewDecision string `json:"review_decision" binding:"required,min=10,max=1000"`
+	}
+
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = h.appealService.ReviewAppeal(c.Request.Context(), appealID, adminID, req.Decision, req.ReviewDecision)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error().Err(err).Msg("Failed to review appeal")
+		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "Failed to review appeal"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{"message": "Appeal reviewed successfully"})
+}
+
+// Admin: GetAppealStats returns statistics about appeals and violations
+func (h *AppealHandler) GetAppealStats(c *gin.Context) {
+	// Check if user is admin
+	isAdmin, _ := c.Get("is_admin")
+	if !isAdmin.(bool) {
+		c.JSON(http.StatusForbidden, gin.H{"error": "Admin access required"})
+		return
+	}
+
+	// This would need to be implemented in the service
+	// For now, return placeholder stats
+	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, gin.H{
+		"total_violations": 0,
+		"pending_appeals":  0,
+		"approved_appeals": 0,
+		"rejected_appeals": 0,
+		"banned_users":     0,
+	})
+}
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/models/appeal.go b/go-backend/internal/models/appeal.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a22672
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/models/appeal.go
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package models
+
+import (
+	"time"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+)
+
+type ViolationType string
+
+const (
+	ViolationTypeHard   ViolationType = "hard_violation"
+	ViolationTypeSoft   ViolationType = "soft_violation"
+)
+
+type ViolationStatus string
+
+const (
+	ViolationStatusActive    ViolationStatus = "active"
+	ViolationStatusAppealed  ViolationStatus = "appealed"
+	ViolationStatusUpheld    ViolationStatus = "upheld"
+	ViolationStatusOverturned ViolationStatus = "overturned"
+	ViolationStatusExpired   ViolationStatus = "expired"
+)
+
+type AppealStatus string
+
+const (
+	AppealStatusPending   AppealStatus = "pending"
+	AppealStatusReviewing AppealStatus = "reviewing"
+	AppealStatusApproved  AppealStatus = "approved"
+	AppealStatusRejected  AppealStatus = "rejected"
+	AppealStatusWithdrawn AppealStatus = "withdrawn"
+)
+
+type UserViolation struct {
+	ID              uuid.UUID      `json:"id" db:"id"`
+	UserID          uuid.UUID      `json:"user_id" db:"user_id"`
+	ModerationFlagID uuid.UUID      `json:"moderation_flag_id" db:"moderation_flag_id"`
+	ViolationType   ViolationType  `json:"violation_type" db:"violation_type"`
+	ViolationReason string         `json:"violation_reason" db:"violation_reason"`
+	SeverityScore   float64        `json:"severity_score" db:"severity_score"`
+	IsAppealable    bool           `json:"is_appealable" db:"is_appealable"`
+	AppealDeadline  *time.Time     `json:"appeal_deadline" db:"appeal_deadline"`
+	Status          ViolationStatus `json:"status" db:"status"`
+	CreatedAt       time.Time      `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt       time.Time      `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
+}
+
+type UserAppeal struct {
+	ID              uuid.UUID    `json:"id" db:"id"`
+	UserViolationID uuid.UUID    `json:"user_violation_id" db:"user_violation_id"`
+	UserID          uuid.UUID    `json:"user_id" db:"user_id"`
+	AppealReason    string       `json:"appeal_reason" db:"appeal_reason"`
+	AppealContext   string       `json:"appeal_context" db:"appeal_context"`
+	EvidenceURLs    []string     `json:"evidence_urls" db:"evidence_urls"`
+	Status          AppealStatus `json:"status" db:"status"`
+	ReviewedBy      *uuid.UUID   `json:"reviewed_by" db:"reviewed_by"`
+	ReviewDecision  string       `json:"review_decision" db:"review_decision"`
+	ReviewedAt      *time.Time   `json:"reviewed_at" db:"reviewed_at"`
+	CreatedAt       time.Time    `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt       time.Time    `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
+}
+
+type UserViolationHistory struct {
+	ID               uuid.UUID `json:"id" db:"id"`
+	UserID           uuid.UUID `json:"user_id" db:"user_id"`
+	ViolationDate    time.Time `json:"violation_date" db:"violation_date"`
+	TotalViolations  int       `json:"total_violations" db:"total_violations"`
+	HardViolations   int       `json:"hard_violations" db:"hard_violations"`
+	SoftViolations   int       `json:"soft_violations" db:"soft_violations"`
+	AppealsFiled     int       `json:"appeals_filed" db:"appeals_filed"`
+	AppealsUpheld    int       `json:"appeals_upheld" db:"appeals_upheld"`
+	AppealsOverturned int       `json:"appeals_overturned" db:"appeals_overturned"`
+	CurrentStatus    string    `json:"current_status" db:"current_status"`
+	BanExpiry        *time.Time `json:"ban_expiry" db:"ban_expiry"`
+	CreatedAt        time.Time `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt        time.Time `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
+}
+
+type AppealGuideline struct {
+	ID                       uuid.UUID `json:"id" db:"id"`
+	ViolationType            string    `json:"violation_type" db:"violation_type"`
+	MaxAppealsPerMonth       int       `json:"max_appeals_per_month" db:"max_appeals_per_month"`
+	AppealWindowHours        int       `json:"appeal_window_hours" db:"appeal_window_hours"`
+	AutoBanThreshold         int       `json:"auto_ban_threshold" db:"auto_ban_threshold"`
+	HardViolationBanThreshold int      `json:"hard_violation_ban_threshold" db:"hard_violation_ban_threshold"`
+	IsActive                 bool      `json:"is_active" db:"is_active"`
+	CreatedAt                time.Time `json:"created_at" db:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt                time.Time `json:"updated_at" db:"updated_at"`
+}
+
+// DTOs for API responses
+type UserViolationResponse struct {
+	UserViolation
+	FlagReason    string                 `json:"flag_reason"`
+	PostContent   string                 `json:"post_content,omitempty"`
+	CommentContent string                `json:"comment_content,omitempty"`
+	CanAppeal     bool                   `json:"can_appeal"`
+	AppealDeadline *time.Time            `json:"appeal_deadline,omitempty"`
+	Appeal        *UserAppeal            `json:"appeal,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type UserAppealRequest struct {
+	UserViolationID uuid.UUID `json:"user_violation_id" binding:"required"`
+	AppealReason   string    `json:"appeal_reason" binding:"required,min=10,max=1000"`
+	AppealContext  string    `json:"appeal_context,omitempty" binding:"max=2000"`
+	EvidenceURLs   []string  `json:"evidence_urls,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type UserAppealResponse struct {
+	UserAppeal
+	Violation UserViolation `json:"violation"`
+}
+
+type UserViolationSummary struct {
+	TotalViolations   int       `json:"total_violations"`
+	HardViolations    int       `json:"hard_violations"`
+	SoftViolations    int       `json:"soft_violations"`
+	ActiveAppeals     int       `json:"active_appeals"`
+	CurrentStatus     string    `json:"current_status"`
+	BanExpiry         *time.Time `json:"ban_expiry,omitempty"`
+	RecentViolations []UserViolationResponse `json:"recent_violations"`
+}
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/services/appeal_service.go b/go-backend/internal/services/appeal_service.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04b9f18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/services/appeal_service.go
@@ -0,0 +1,393 @@
+package services
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
+	"github.com/patbritton/sojorn-backend/internal/models"
+)
+
+type AppealService struct {
+	pool *pgxpool.Pool
+}
+
+func NewAppealService(pool *pgxpool.Pool) *AppealService {
+	return &AppealService{pool: pool}
+}
+
+// CreateUserViolation creates a violation record when content is flagged
+func (s *AppealService) CreateUserViolation(ctx context.Context, userID uuid.UUID, moderationFlagID uuid.UUID, flagReason string, scores map[string]float64) (*models.UserViolation, error) {
+	scoresJSON, err := json.Marshal(scores)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal scores: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var violation models.UserViolation
+	query := `
+		SELECT * FROM create_user_violation($1, $2, $3, $4)
+	`
+
+	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, userID, moderationFlagID, flagReason, scoresJSON).Scan(
+		&violation.ID,
+		&violation.UserID,
+		&violation.ModerationFlagID,
+		&violation.ViolationType,
+		&violation.ViolationReason,
+		&violation.SeverityScore,
+		&violation.IsAppealable,
+		&violation.AppealDeadline,
+		&violation.Status,
+		&violation.CreatedAt,
+		&violation.UpdatedAt,
+	)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create user violation: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &violation, nil
+}
+
+// GetUserViolations returns all violations for a user
+func (s *AppealService) GetUserViolations(ctx context.Context, userID uuid.UUID, limit, offset int) ([]models.UserViolationResponse, error) {
+	query := `
+		SELECT 
+			uv.*,
+			mf.flag_reason,
+			COALESCE(p.body, '') as post_content,
+			COALESCE(c.body, '') as comment_content,
+			CASE 
+				WHEN uv.is_appealable = true AND uv.appeal_deadline > NOW() AND uv.status = 'active' THEN true
+				ELSE false
+			END as can_appeal
+		FROM user_violations uv
+		LEFT JOIN moderation_flags mf ON uv.moderation_flag_id = mf.id
+		LEFT JOIN posts p ON mf.post_id = p.id
+		LEFT JOIN comments c ON mf.comment_id = c.id
+		WHERE uv.user_id = $1
+		ORDER BY uv.created_at DESC
+		LIMIT $2 OFFSET $3
+	`
+
+	rows, err := s.pool.Query(ctx, query, userID, limit, offset)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query user violations: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	var violations []models.UserViolationResponse
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var violation models.UserViolationResponse
+		var postContent, commentContent sql.NullString
+		var canAppeal bool
+
+		err := rows.Scan(
+			&violation.ID,
+			&violation.UserID,
+			&violation.ModerationFlagID,
+			&violation.ViolationType,
+			&violation.ViolationReason,
+			&violation.SeverityScore,
+			&violation.IsAppealable,
+			&violation.AppealDeadline,
+			&violation.Status,
+			&violation.CreatedAt,
+			&violation.UpdatedAt,
+			&violation.FlagReason,
+			&postContent,
+			&commentContent,
+			&canAppeal,
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan violation: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		if postContent.Valid {
+			violation.PostContent = postContent.String
+		}
+		if commentContent.Valid {
+			violation.CommentContent = commentContent.String
+		}
+		violation.CanAppeal = canAppeal
+
+		// Get appeal if exists
+		if violation.Status == models.ViolationStatusAppealed {
+			appeal, err := s.GetAppealForViolation(ctx, violation.ID)
+			if err == nil {
+				violation.Appeal = appeal
+			}
+		}
+
+		violations = append(violations, violation)
+	}
+
+	return violations, nil
+}
+
+// CreateAppeal creates an appeal for a violation
+func (s *AppealService) CreateAppeal(ctx context.Context, userID uuid.UUID, req *models.UserAppealRequest) (*models.UserAppeal, error) {
+	// First check if violation exists and is appealable
+	var violation models.UserViolation
+	checkQuery := `
+		SELECT uv.*, ag.appeal_window_hours
+		FROM user_violations uv
+		LEFT JOIN appeal_guidelines ag ON uv.violation_type = ag.violation_type AND ag.is_active = true
+		WHERE uv.id = $1 AND uv.user_id = $2
+	`
+
+	var appealWindowHours sql.NullInt32
+	err := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, checkQuery, req.UserViolationID, userID).Scan(
+		&violation.ID,
+		&violation.UserID,
+		&violation.ModerationFlagID,
+		&violation.ViolationType,
+		&violation.ViolationReason,
+		&violation.SeverityScore,
+		&violation.IsAppealable,
+		&violation.AppealDeadline,
+		&violation.Status,
+		&violation.CreatedAt,
+		&violation.UpdatedAt,
+		&appealWindowHours,
+	)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("violation not found or not accessible: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Check if appeal is allowed
+	if !violation.IsAppealable {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("this violation type is not appealable")
+	}
+
+	if violation.Status != models.ViolationStatusActive {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("violation has already been appealed or resolved")
+	}
+
+	if violation.AppealDeadline != nil && time.Now().After(*violation.AppealDeadline) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("appeal deadline has passed")
+	}
+
+	// Check monthly appeal limit
+	if appealWindowHours.Valid {
+		limitQuery := `
+			SELECT COUNT(*) 
+			FROM user_appeals ua
+			JOIN user_violations uv ON ua.user_violation_id = uv.id
+			WHERE ua.user_id = $1 
+			AND ua.created_at >= NOW() - INTERVAL '1 month'
+			AND uv.violation_type = $2
+		`
+		var appealCount int
+		err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, limitQuery, userID, violation.ViolationType).Scan(&appealCount)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check appeal limit: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		// Get max appeals per month from guidelines
+		var maxAppeals int
+		guidelineQuery := `SELECT max_appeals_per_month FROM appeal_guidelines WHERE violation_type = $1 AND is_active = true`
+		err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, guidelineQuery, violation.ViolationType).Scan(&maxAppeals)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get appeal guidelines: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		if appealCount >= maxAppeals {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("monthly appeal limit exceeded")
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Create the appeal
+	evidenceJSON, _ := json.Marshal(req.EvidenceURLs)
+	query := `
+		INSERT INTO user_appeals (user_violation_id, user_id, appeal_reason, appeal_context, evidence_urls)
+		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)
+		RETURNING id, created_at, updated_at
+	`
+
+	var appeal models.UserAppeal
+	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, req.UserViolationID, userID, req.AppealReason, req.AppealContext, evidenceJSON).Scan(
+		&appeal.ID,
+		&appeal.CreatedAt,
+		&appeal.UpdatedAt,
+	)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create appeal: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Update violation status
+	updateQuery := `UPDATE user_violations SET status = 'appealed', updated_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1`
+	_, err = s.pool.Exec(ctx, updateQuery, req.UserViolationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to update violation status: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Populate appeal details
+	appeal.UserViolationID = req.UserViolationID
+	appeal.UserID = userID
+	appeal.AppealReason = req.AppealReason
+	appeal.AppealContext = req.AppealContext
+	appeal.EvidenceURLs = req.EvidenceURLs
+	appeal.Status = models.AppealStatusPending
+
+	return &appeal, nil
+}
+
+// GetAppealForViolation returns the appeal for a specific violation
+func (s *AppealService) GetAppealForViolation(ctx context.Context, violationID uuid.UUID) (*models.UserAppeal, error) {
+	query := `
+		SELECT id, user_violation_id, user_id, appeal_reason, appeal_context, evidence_urls, 
+			   status, reviewed_by, review_decision, reviewed_at, created_at, updated_at
+		FROM user_appeals 
+		WHERE user_violation_id = $1
+		ORDER BY created_at DESC
+		LIMIT 1
+	`
+
+	var appeal models.UserAppeal
+	var evidenceJSON []byte
+
+	err := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, violationID).Scan(
+		&appeal.ID,
+		&appeal.UserViolationID,
+		&appeal.UserID,
+		&appeal.AppealReason,
+		&appeal.AppealContext,
+		&evidenceJSON,
+		&appeal.Status,
+		&appeal.ReviewedBy,
+		&appeal.ReviewDecision,
+		&appeal.ReviewedAt,
+		&appeal.CreatedAt,
+		&appeal.UpdatedAt,
+	)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get appeal: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(evidenceJSON) > 0 {
+		json.Unmarshal(evidenceJSON, &appeal.EvidenceURLs)
+	}
+
+	return &appeal, nil
+}
+
+// GetUserViolationSummary returns a summary of user's violation history
+func (s *AppealService) GetUserViolationSummary(ctx context.Context, userID uuid.UUID) (*models.UserViolationSummary, error) {
+	query := `
+		SELECT 
+			COUNT(*) as total_violations,
+			COUNT(CASE WHEN violation_type = 'hard_violation' THEN 1 END) as hard_violations,
+			COUNT(CASE WHEN violation_type = 'soft_violation' THEN 1 END) as soft_violations,
+			COUNT(CASE WHEN status = 'appealed' THEN 1 END) as active_appeals,
+			u.current_status,
+			u.ban_expiry
+		FROM user_violations uv
+		LEFT JOIN user_violation_history u ON uv.user_id = u.user_id AND u.violation_date = CURRENT_DATE
+		WHERE uv.user_id = $1
+	`
+
+	var summary models.UserViolationSummary
+	var banExpiry sql.NullTime
+
+	err := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, userID).Scan(
+		&summary.TotalViolations,
+		&summary.HardViolations,
+		&summary.SoftViolations,
+		&summary.ActiveAppeals,
+		&summary.CurrentStatus,
+		&banExpiry,
+	)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get violation summary: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if banExpiry.Valid {
+		summary.BanExpiry = &banExpiry.Time
+	}
+
+	// Get recent violations
+	recentViolations, err := s.GetUserViolations(ctx, userID, 5, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get recent violations: %w", err)
+	}
+	summary.RecentViolations = recentViolations
+
+	return &summary, nil
+}
+
+// ReviewAppeal allows an admin to review and decide on an appeal
+func (s *AppealService) ReviewAppeal(ctx context.Context, appealID uuid.UUID, adminID uuid.UUID, decision string, reviewDecision string) error {
+	tx, err := s.pool.Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to begin transaction: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback(ctx)
+
+	// Update appeal
+	appealQuery := `
+		UPDATE user_appeals 
+		SET status = CASE WHEN $1 = 'approved' THEN 'approved' ELSE 'rejected' END,
+			reviewed_by = $2,
+			review_decision = $3,
+			reviewed_at = NOW(),
+			updated_at = NOW()
+		WHERE id = $4
+	`
+
+	_, err = tx.Exec(ctx, appealQuery, decision, adminID, reviewDecision, appealID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to update appeal: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Get violation ID for this appeal
+	var violationID uuid.UUID
+	violationQuery := `SELECT user_violation_id FROM user_appeals WHERE id = $1`
+	err = tx.QueryRow(ctx, violationQuery, appealID).Scan(&violationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get violation ID: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Update violation status
+	violationStatus := "upheld"
+	if decision == "approved" {
+		violationStatus = "overturned"
+	}
+
+	violationUpdateQuery := `
+		UPDATE user_violations 
+		SET status = $1, updated_at = NOW()
+		WHERE id = $2
+	`
+
+	_, err = tx.Exec(ctx, violationUpdateQuery, violationStatus, violationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to update violation status: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Update violation history
+	historyQuery := `
+		UPDATE user_violation_history 
+		SET appeals_filed = appeals_filed + 1,
+			appeals_upheld = appeals_upheld + CASE WHEN $1 = 'rejected' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END,
+			appeals_overturned = appeals_overturned + CASE WHEN $1 = 'approved' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END,
+			updated_at = NOW()
+		WHERE user_id = (SELECT user_id FROM user_violations WHERE id = $2) 
+		AND violation_date = CURRENT_DATE
+	`
+
+	_, err = tx.Exec(ctx, historyQuery, decision, violationID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to update violation history: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return tx.Commit(ctx)
+}
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/services/moderation_service.go b/go-backend/internal/services/moderation_service.go
index f75d5cc..481168e 100644
--- a/go-backend/internal/services/moderation_service.go
+++ b/go-backend/internal/services/moderation_service.go
@@ -349,16 +349,38 @@ func (s *ModerationService) FlagPost(ctx context.Context, postID uuid.UUID, scor
 	query := `
 		INSERT INTO moderation_flags (post_id, flag_reason, scores, status)
 		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, 'pending')
-		RETURNING id, created_at
+		RETURNING id, created_at, user_id
 	`
 
 	var flagID uuid.UUID
 	var createdAt time.Time
-	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, postID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&flagID, &createdAt)
+	var userID uuid.UUID
+	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, postID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&flagID, &createdAt, &userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert moderation flag: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Create user violation record if we have the user ID
+	if userID != uuid.Nil {
+		scoresMap := map[string]float64{
+			"hate":     scores.Hate,
+			"greed":    scores.Greed,
+			"delusion": scores.Delusion,
+		}
+
+		// This would require the AppealService, but for now we'll create a simple violation record
+		violationQuery := `
+			SELECT create_user_violation($1, $2, $3, $4)
+		`
+
+		var violationID uuid.UUID
+		violationErr := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, violationQuery, userID, flagID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&violationID)
+		if violationErr != nil {
+			// Log error but don't fail the flagging process
+			fmt.Printf("Failed to create user violation: %v\n", violationErr)
+		}
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -371,16 +393,38 @@ func (s *ModerationService) FlagComment(ctx context.Context, commentID uuid.UUID
 	query := `
 		INSERT INTO moderation_flags (comment_id, flag_reason, scores, status)
 		VALUES ($1, $2, $3, 'pending')
-		RETURNING id, created_at
+		RETURNING id, created_at, user_id
 	`
 
 	var flagID uuid.UUID
 	var createdAt time.Time
-	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, commentID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&flagID, &createdAt)
+	var userID uuid.UUID
+	err = s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, query, commentID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&flagID, &createdAt, &userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to insert comment moderation flag: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Create user violation record if we have the user ID
+	if userID != uuid.Nil {
+		scoresMap := map[string]float64{
+			"hate":     scores.Hate,
+			"greed":    scores.Greed,
+			"delusion": scores.Delusion,
+		}
+
+		// This would require the AppealService, but for now we'll create a simple violation record
+		violationQuery := `
+			SELECT create_user_violation($1, $2, $3, $4)
+		`
+
+		var violationID uuid.UUID
+		violationErr := s.pool.QueryRow(ctx, violationQuery, userID, flagID, reason, scoresJSON).Scan(&violationID)
+		if violationErr != nil {
+			// Log error but don't fail the flagging process
+			fmt.Printf("Failed to create user violation: %v\n", violationErr)
+		}
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }