First Circuit Court of Appeals

The First Circuit Court of Appeals is one of the thirteen federal appellate courts in the United States. It hears appeals from federal district courts in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. This court reviews decisions made by these lower courts, including issues of law and constitutional rights, to ensure they were properly interpreted and applied. Its rulings can set legal precedents, influencing future cases. The First Circuit does not conduct trials; instead, it evaluates written briefs and may hold oral arguments before making a decision, which can affirm or reverse lower court rulings.