What is the role of an appellate court?

The function of an appellate court is to hear appeals from the decisions of lower courts. This means that when a party believes that a legal error has occurred during their trial or hearing, they can appeal to a higher court to review the case. The appellate court does not conduct new trials or hear witness testimonies; instead, it reviews the records of the previous court's proceedings and assesses whether relevant laws were properly applied and if there were errors that could have affected the outcome of the case.

In the context of the choices provided, the role of appellate courts is distinct from the initial trial processes or the function of determining guilt or innocence, as these responsibilities are typically handled by trial courts. Additionally, while enforcing laws and regulations is crucial in the judicial system, it is not the primary function of appellate courts, which focus specifically on reviewing and assessing decisions made by lower courts. By serving this essential role, appellate courts ensure that legal standards are maintained and that justice is fairly administered.