What is the role of the appellate court?

The role of the appellate court is to hear appeals and review the decisions made by lower courts. This involves examining the records of the lower court's proceedings to determine whether any legal errors occurred that may have affected the outcome of the case. Appellate courts focus on questions of law rather than questions of fact, meaning they do not conduct new trials or hear new evidence. Instead, they assess whether the law was applied correctly and whether the rights of the parties were upheld during the lower court proceedings. This function is vital for ensuring that legal standards are consistently applied and that any errors can be corrected, maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.

The other options do not align with the functions of an appellate court. Conducting initial trials is a responsibility of trial courts. Overseeing the enforcement of court orders is typically handled by administrative bodies or lower courts. Providing legal representation for defendants is the role of attorneys, not the court itself.