State Appellate Courts

State appellate courts are higher-level courts that review decisions made by lower trial courts. Their main role is to evaluate whether the law was applied correctly and whether legal procedures were followed during the trial. They do not hear new evidence or witness testimonies; instead, they examine the trial record, legal arguments, and issues raised by the parties. If an appellate court finds an error that could have affected the outcome, it may reverse or modify the decision, or send the case back for a new trial. These courts ensure fairness and consistency in the interpretation of the law.