What is the purpose of oral arguments to an appellate court?

The purpose of oral arguments to an appellate court is to give each side the opportunity to further explain their argument to the judges. During oral arguments, attorneys are able to address any questions the judges might have and further explain legal points that weren’t included in their written briefs. Oral arguments also allow the attorneys to present new evidence that may help their case, as long as it is based off information that has been previously submitted to the court. In Texas, appellate lawyers typically have between 15 and 30 minutes to make their arguments. These are divided into halves, with each side presenting their argument in turn. During this time, the attorneys are able to discuss how the lower court may have misinterpreted the law, and ultimately persuade the appellate court that their side is right. The court may ask questions during the oral arguments, which the attorneys must answer quickly and accurately. Ultimately, oral arguments are important because they give the attorneys the opportunity to explain their case in more detail than they would be able to in a written brief. This gives the appellate court a better understanding of the issues at hand, and can increase their confidence in the decision they make.

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What is the purpose of oral arguments to an appellate court?

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