What is the role of appellate courts?

Appellate courts serve the crucial function of reviewing decisions made by lower courts to ensure that the law was correctly applied and that legal procedures were followed appropriately. These courts do not hear new evidence or conduct trials; instead, they focus on the record from the original trial and the arguments presented. Their primary purpose is to determine whether any legal errors occurred that could have affected the outcome of the case.

By reviewing the lower court’s rulings, appellate courts help to maintain a consistent interpretation of law across various jurisdictions and promote the fair administration of justice. They provide a mechanism for parties who believe that a trial court made a mistake to seek a remedy, thus allowing for the possibility of correcting errors that could impact individuals' rights and legal standings.

While appellate courts can issue writs of certiorari, which are orders to a lower court to send records for review, this option is just one aspect of their function. They are not responsible for overseeing original jurisdiction cases, as this responsibility lies with trial courts. The emphasis on reviewing rather than retrying cases is what defines the role of appellate courts in the legal system.