What is the role of the appellate court?

The role of the appellate court is to review decisions made by lower courts to determine if legal errors were made during the trial. This process is essential because it helps ensure that the law is applied correctly and fairly. The appellate court does not conduct new trials or hear new evidence; instead, it examines the record from the lower court proceedings, including transcripts and submitted evidence, to assess whether the legal interpretations and rulings were appropriate.

This review can result in an affirmation of the lower court's decision, a reversal of that decision, or a remand back to the lower court for further proceedings. This oversight helps maintain the integrity of the judicial system and allows for corrections of potential injustices that may have arisen during the original trial. The focus of this court is strictly on legal principles and the application of law rather than on factual determinations of the case.