What is the overall goal of the appeal process?

The overall goal of the appeal process is to seek a higher court's review of a decision. When a party is dissatisfied with a verdict or ruling made by a lower court, they can initiate an appeal to a higher court. The purpose of this higher review is to assess whether legal errors occurred during the initial trial that could have impacted the outcome. This process is not concerned with re-evaluating the evidence in terms of its factual basis or re-assessing the credibility of witnesses, but rather focuses on legal standards and the application of the law.

By appealing to a higher court, the appellant seeks to have the decision overturned or modified based on these legal grounds, ultimately aiming for a fair resolution based on judicial standards. This ensures that any issues with the application of law can be corrected at a higher level, providing a critical check on the judicial system.