What is the purpose of an appellate brief?

The purpose of an appellate brief is to explain to a higher court why the lower court’s ruling should be overturned. It is typically written by an attorney representing a client who is appealing a lower court’s decision. The appellate brief is the attorney’s opportunity to provide detailed arguments and evidence to support their client’s case. The structure of the brief typically follows a specific format, which provides the court with an organized argument. An appellate brief typically begins by stating the basic facts of the case, the procedural history of the case, and the issue or issues to be addressed. It then includes a brief statement of the standard of review to be applied and the applicable law. The main body of the brief is the argument section, which contains the attorney’s analysis of the law and the facts of the case, as well as the attorney’s reasoning as to why the lower court’s decision should be reversed. This section may also include any supporting evidence or testimony. Finally, the appellate brief should end with a conclusion summarizing the attorney’s arguments and requesting that the court reverse the lower court’s decision. In Nebraska, sworn statements or affidavits must be attached to the brief in order to be considered. With a compelling appellate brief, attorneys can effectively present their client’s case in the hopes of overturning the lower court’s ruling.

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