How do appellate courts differ from trial courts?

Appellate courts primarily function by reviewing decisions made by trial courts. The distinguishing feature of appellate courts is that they do not hold trials or hear witnesses; instead, they base their decisions on the existing record from the trial court. This record includes transcripts of the trial, evidence presented, and any relevant documentation. Appellate judges evaluate whether the trial court applied the law correctly and if the legal proceedings were handled appropriately.

This process is fundamentally different from trial courts, where cases are initiated, and evidence is presented in the form of witness testimonies and exhibits. In appellate courts, the focus lies on legal principles and the application of the law rather than on factual determinations or new evidence. As such, they provide a crucial check on the trial court's process, ensuring that judicial standards are upheld without revisiting the facts of the case.

While some might think that appellate courts address criminal matters exclusively, they actually handle both civil and criminal appeals, making them broader in scope than just criminal jurisdiction. Additionally, they do not initiate new cases without a reference to a prior record; their function hinges on reviewing established records rather than starting cases from scratch. This helps maintain the integrity of the legal process and ensures that the decisions made are based on previously established facts