Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court that hears appeals from district courts in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. When a case is appealed, this court reviews the legal aspects of the case to ensure that the law was applied correctly. It does not retry the case or hear new evidence; instead, it focuses on whether any legal mistakes were made in the lower court. Decisions made by this court can set important legal precedents within its jurisdiction and sometimes influence nationwide legal interpretations.