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No, they decide issues of procedure and legal 'correctness.' They are 'overseers' of the lower (fact finding) courts - the appeals court passes judgments on the processes, procedures, and the conduct of the trials that are sent to them on appeal. They do not hold jury trials nor hear witness testimony.

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12y ago
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13y ago

To my knowledge Appellate courts only determine whether or not a all of a defendants rights were protected throughout the judiciary process. A case can continue to the state or federal supreme court to determine if a laws interpretation was accurately exercised. Its why they are called the court of last resort.

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No.

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Q: Do Appellate courts determine questions of fact and rule on issues of law?
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Continue Learning about American Government

How do decisions of appellate courts have the force of laws?

When an appeal court decides a case, it issues a written opinion that sets a precedent for similar cases in the future. All lower courts in the jurisdiction where the precedent was issuesd must follow it


Does the US have a Supreme Court and some smaller courts?

Yes. The US Supreme Court has highest appellate jurisdiction in the US. The other constitutional courts of the Judicial Branch -- the 94 US District Court, 13 US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, US Court of International Trade -- are below the Supreme Court. There are also courts in the Legislative Branch of government, such as Bankruptcy Courts and US Tax Courts, that are lower than the Supreme Court.


What are the federal appeals courts called?

US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, which is part of the federal judicial system. Of the thirteen intermediate appellate courts, twelve have territorial jurisdiction. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has subject matter jurisdiction over such issues as patent appeals, claims against the United States, etc.For more information on the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts, see Related Links, below.


Why were the inferior courts created-?

To carry the load. Superior Courts would crumble under the case load if lower courts didn't take up the slack.


What is the US judicial system made up of?

The United States has a dual judicial system made up of the Judicial Branch of the US federalgovernment and the individual judicial branches of the 50 State governments. The judicial branches, or court systems, consist of the courts and their employees, such as justices, judges, government prosecutors, public defenders and other attorneys, administrative staff, clerks of court, and many other people.The judicial branches are independent of each other, with the state courts having jurisdiction over city, county and state laws and state constitutional issues, and the federal courts having jurisdiction over federal laws, treaties, and US constitutional issues. Sometimes cases that begin in state courts may be moved to or appealed to federal courts, but only under special circumstances.Each judicial branch uses a similar process to try cases, and each has trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and a supreme court (or its equivalent).

Related questions

Why dont federal appeals courts have trials?

The role of all appellate courts is to review a trial court's judgment to determine if an error or errors were made that need to be corrected. An appellate court reviews the trial court -- thus, it does not have trials. The closest thing to a "trial" at the appellate level is the oral argument. During oral argument, the lawyer stands in front of the appellate judges to present a summary of his/her appeal, and answers questions for the judges. However, it is always an issue of law, not fact, when dealing with the appellate courts. Issues of fact are for the trial court.


What courts usually hear cases involving fair trial issues?

appellate courts (or courts of appeals)


Are juries are used in the state court?

No. Only trial courts use juries. The job of the jury is to determine issues of fact. The job of a judge is to determine issues of law. After the trial court is over there may be an appeal. The appellate court will review issues of law. They do not review issues of fact except for extreme cases. Supreme courts will hear cases in which there are complex issues of law that need review or clarification.


Which court normally determines both legal and factual issues?

Depending on the jurisdiction, if you are asking about the United States, the District Courts would determine issues of fact and law. The Appellate and Supreme Courts will, typically, only rule on matters of law, unless they opt to perform a de novoreview.


Compare and contrast the functions of trial and appellate courts?

There are three major differences between trial-level courts and appellate-level courts: witnesses and exhibits, judges, and juries. Trial courts are the courts where cases start. In the trial court, both sides present evidence to show their version of what happened. Most of the evidence presented in the trial court comes from witnesses (people who answer questions relating to the case) and exhibits (items and documents connected to the case, such as pictures, clothes, weapons, papers, etc.). However, in the appellate courts, there are no witnesses, and no evidence is presented. In appellate courts, the lawyers simply argue legal and policy issues before the judge or a group of judges. In the trial courts, the lawyers present evidence and legal arguments to persuade the jury in a jury trial or the judge in a bench trial. The second difference between the two courts is the judges. In trial courts, there is one judge in the courtroom. That judge decides what evidence can and cannot be used and often decides the outcome of the case. In most jurisdictions, appeals are decided by more then one judge. The last major difference between the trial courts and the appellate courts is the role of the jury. A jury is a group of citizens who listen to the facts and make decisions about the case. A jury is sometimes used in trial courts to help decide the case. In a criminal trial, the jury decides whether a person is guilty or not guilty. A criminal trial involves the government (the state of Indiana, for example) bringing charges against someone who committed a crime, such as robbery, murder, or drunk driving. In a civil trial, the jury decides whether a person is liable (legally responsible for damages) or not liable (not responsible). Individuals or companies who cannot settle a dispute file a document called a complaint to start a civil trial. Divorce, car accidents, and traffic violations are some of the most common types of civil cases. There can be a jury in either a civil or criminal trial. However, there is no jury in the appellate courts. Appellate judges determine the outcome of all appeals. A big misunderstanding about the appellate courts is that they simply rehear the case over again, evidence and all. But the truth is that appellate courts do not rehear the facts of the case. Appellate courts focus on questions of law, NOT on questions of facts like the trial courts. The appellate judges want to know whether the law was applied accurately. The appellate court overrules a trial court decision only if a very important legal error was made in the trial court. In some cases, the appellate court judges might believe that the outcome of the trial court should have been different, but if no legal errors were made, they will not overrule the lower court. The appellate judges make their decisions based only on legal arguments of how the law should be applied and interpreted.


What do federal courts address?

The Federal Courts deal with issues that arise under federal law, like immigration, corporations, industrial relations, marriage and the like. The High Court also serves as the ultimate appellate court for all courts in Australia.


What an appellate does with an case?

An appellate court hears and decides the issues on appeal.


What an appellate does with a case?

An appellate court hears and decides the issues on appeal.


How do decisions of appellate courts have the force of laws?

When an appeal court decides a case, it issues a written opinion that sets a precedent for similar cases in the future. All lower courts in the jurisdiction where the precedent was issuesd must follow it


What an appelate court does with a case?

An appellate court hears and decides the issues on appeal.


What kind of courts usually hear cases that involve issues and fair trial questions?

Appeals A+


This comprises the largest block of the Court's cases?

Appellate Cases from US Court of Appeals Circuit CourtsThe US Supreme Court primarily hears appellate cases involving questions of federal or constitutional law. Most cases arise from the 13 U.S. Court of Appeals Circuits, although the Court also reviews cases involving federal constitutional and legislative issues on appeal from state supreme courts, and on very rare occasions may review cases directly from the District courts, bypassing the Circuit courts altogether.