What is the process of "appealing" a court decision?

The process of "appealing" a court decision involves invoking a higher court to review and potentially alter the outcome of a lower court's ruling. This legal process serves as a check on the decisions made in trial courts and is a crucial component of the judicial system.

When a party believes that the trial court made an error in its judgment—whether it be related to legal interpretation, procedural issues, or incorrect application of the law—they can file an appeal. The appellate court will then examine the records of the lower court’s proceedings to determine whether any legal mistakes were made that could have impacted the original ruling.

This process does not provide an opportunity for new evidence to be introduced, as appellate courts typically rely on the existing record from the trial to make their decisions. Instead, the focus is on the law and how it was applied. Additionally, it does not involve retrying the case or seeking a delay in sentencing; rather, it is about ensuring that justice has been properly served according to legal precedent and statutory guidelines. By assessing whether the trial court’s decision was justified, the appellate court plays a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law.