AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

Which court is responsible for hearing appeals?

1. State Supreme Court

2. Circuit or District Court

3. Court of Appeals

4. Municipal Court

The correct answer is: Court of Appeals

The correct choice pertains to the Court of Appeals, which is specifically designated to handle appellate cases. In the judicial system, appellate courts are tasked with reviewing decisions made by lower courts, assessing whether legal principles were appropriately applied and whether any substantial errors occurred during the original trials. The role of the Court of Appeals is essential because it ensures that the law is applied consistently and fairly across cases. Appellate courts do not typically conduct trials or hear new evidence; instead, they focus on the records from the lower courts to evaluate how cases were handled. This process allows them to uphold, reverse, or remand lower court decisions based on legal grounds. Other courts mentioned, such as the State Supreme Court, Circuit or District Court, and Municipal Court, have specific functions that do not primarily involve appellate review. While the State Supreme Court can hear appeals, it primarily serves as the highest court in a state, making its focus broader and including final appeals on significant legal issues. Circuit or District Courts usually deal with initial cases and do not focus on appeals. Municipal Courts handle minor offenses and local ordinance violations, which typically do not include a significant appellate function. Therefore, the distinct function of the Court of Appeals as the primary body for hearing appeals makes it the correct