Legal Definitions - appellate jurisdiction

Appellate Jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear appeals from lower courts. This means that if a person is not satisfied with the decision made by a lower court, they can appeal to a higher court to review the decision.

For example, if a person is convicted of a crime in a district court, they can appeal to a higher court, such as a state court of appeals or a federal court of appeals, to review the decision. Another example is if a person loses a civil case in a lower court, they can appeal to a higher court to review the decision and potentially overturn it.

These examples illustrate how appellate jurisdiction works. It allows for a system of checks and balances within the court system, ensuring that lower court decisions are reviewed and potentially corrected if necessary.