Most appeals take about a year from start to finish.  Many criminal cases can take 2-3 years.

No.  An appeal is a review based on the information the deciding court had at the time it made the final decision  New evidence will not be considered.

No.  New evidence or testimony is not allowed in an appeal.  So, there is no need for a hearing. 

Sometimes the Judges call the parties in to discuss the law beyond what was said in the written briefs.  These proceedings are rare and called Oral Arguments.  Oral arguments are held at the Judges' discretion.

Usually not.  Only a few appeal types can provide free transcripts:

Free Transcripts Possible

Felony Criminal, Dependency & Neglect, and Bypass of Parental Notification.

No Free Transcripts

District Civil, Family Matters, Juvenile (paternity, adoption, restriction, child support enforcement).