Appellate Court (Appeals Trial Court)

An appellate court has the authority to review and revise the decision of a lower court in the same case, providing a system of checks and balances within the judicial process.

Definition

An appellate court, also known as an appeals court, is a court that has the authority to examine and possibly overturn the decision of a lower court. The primary function of appellate courts is to ensure that the law has been correctly applied by the trial court. They do not conduct new trials or hear new evidence but review the record of the lower court’s proceedings to determine if legal errors were made that could have affected the outcome of the case.

Examples

  1. U.S. Court of Appeals: This is the intermediate appellate court in the federal system, which reviews decisions from district courts. There are thirteen U.S. Courts of Appeals, including one for each of the twelve regional circuits and one for the Federal Circuit which handles specialized cases.

  2. U.S. Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States, which reviews cases from lower federal courts and state supreme courts. It has the final say on constitutional questions and other significant legal issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What cases can be brought to an appellate court?

Not all cases can be appealed. Generally, appeals must be based on a claim that there was a legal error in the trial court’s proceedings. This can include misapplication of the law, procedural errors, or substantial reasons affecting the rights of the parties.

How is an appellate court different from a trial court?

A trial court is the first court to hear a case, where evidence and testimonies are presented. An appellate court, on the other hand, reviews the trial court’s application of the law rather than re-examining factual evidence.

What is the role of an appellate court?

The main role of an appellate court is to ensure that the law was applied correctly and fairly in the trial court. It also sets legal precedents that lower courts must follow.

How many judges are typically on an appellate court panel?

A typical appellate court panel consists of three judges. In some cases, such as in the U.S. Supreme Court or en banc reviews, a larger number of judges may be involved.

Can new evidence be introduced in an appellate court?

No, appellate courts review the decisions of lower courts based on the records and evidence presented during the initial trial. New evidence is typically not considered.

  • Writ of Certiorari: An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send the record in a given case for review. Often associated with the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • En Banc: A session in which a case is heard before all the judges of a court rather than by a panel of judges selected from them. Used in appellate courts to address extremely important issues or inconsistencies in rulings.

  • Stare Decisis: The doctrine that courts should adhere to precedents set by previous decisions to ensure legal consistency and predictability.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  • “Appellate Practice in Federal and State Courts” by David M. Axelrad
  • “Principles of Appellate Advocacy” by John M. Carter
  • “Direct and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses at Deposition and Trial” by Michael J. F. Smith
  • “Appellate Jurisdiction in the United States: The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System” by Howard W. Holmes

Fundamentals of Appellate Courts: Business Law Basics Quiz

### What is the primary function of an appellate court? - [x] To ensure the law was correctly applied by the trial court. - [ ] To conduct new trials and hear new evidence. - [ ] To represent the opinions of the jury. - [ ] To investigate crime scenes. > **Explanation:** The appellate court's main function is to review the trial court's application of law rather than re-examine factual evidence. ### What does "en banc" mean in the context of appellate courts? - [ ] A single judge reviewing a case. - [x] A session in which a case is heard before all the judges of a court. - [ ] A special type of jury hearing. - [ ] A formal gathering of court clerks. > **Explanation:** "En banc" refers to a session in which a case is heard before all the judges of a court, rather than by a smaller panel. ### What is the highest appellate court in the United States? - [ ] U.S. Court of Appeals - [x] U.S. Supreme Court - [ ] State Supreme Court - [ ] District Court > **Explanation:** The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the United States, with final judicial authority on significant legal matters. ### What kind of errors does an appellate court typically review? - [ ] Typographical errors in case documents. - [ ] New witness testimonies. - [x] Legal errors in the trial court's proceedings. - [ ] Financial errors in court fees. > **Explanation:** Appellate courts typically review claims of legal errors made by trial courts that could have affected the case's outcome. ### How many judges typically comprise an appellate court panel? - [ ] One judge - [ ] Two judges - [x] Three judges - [ ] Five judges > **Explanation:** A typical appellate court panel consists of three judges who review the case record and legal arguments. ### Can parties present new evidence in an appellate court? - [x] No, new evidence is generally not allowed. - [ ] Yes, if it was not available during the initial trial. - [ ] Yes, if both parties agree. - [ ] Yes, but only in criminal cases. > **Explanation:** Appellate courts review the trial court's records without considering new evidence. The focus is on legal, not factual, errors. ### What is a "writ of certiorari”? - [ ] A request for a new trial. - [ ] A type of pretrial motion. - [x] An order by a higher court to review a lower court's decision. - [ ] An official court seal. > **Explanation:** A writ of certiorari is an order by a higher court, often the Supreme Court, to review the decision of a lower court. ### Which of the following best describes "stare decisis"? - [ ] On the bench decision. - [ ] An informal hearing. - [x] Following precedent set by previous court decisions. - [ ] A sudden reversal of judgment. > **Explanation:** Stare decisis is the doctrine that courts should follow precedents set by previous decisions to ensure legal consistency. ### How many regional circuits are there in the U.S. Courts of Appeals? - [ ] Ten regional circuits - [ ] Twelve regional circuits - [x] Thirteen regional circuits - [ ] Fifty regional circuits > **Explanation:** There are thirteen regional circuits in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, each with jurisdiction over specific geographic areas. ### What kind of legal principles can the U.S. Supreme Court establish? - [ ] Local traffic laws - [ ] State regulations - [x] National constitutional principles - [ ] Corporate bylaws only > **Explanation:** The U.S. Supreme Court can establish national constitutional principles applicable across the United States, impacting a wide range of legal issues.

Thank you for exploring the pivotal role of appellate courts within our judicial system and mastering the intricacies with our focused quiz. Continue refining your legal acumen and striving for a deeper understanding of the law.


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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