What is the role of an appellate court in a criminal case?

An appellate court is the highest court in a North Carolina criminal case. The primary role of an appellate court is to review the legal decisions made by the lower court. This review is in order to determine if the judge or jury made a mistake in their rulings or if an error was committed during the proceedings. The appellate court will review the record of the proceedings and the legal arguments presented by each party. When an appellate court reviews the record of a criminal case, it will determine whether any errors were made in the lower court’s decision. If an error was made, the appellate court may alter the judgment or order a new trial. This is known as reversing the decision of the lower court. The appellate court may also affirm the decision of the lower court, which means that the ruling stands. Another role of the appellate court is to provide guidance to the lower courts. The appellate court will review decisions to determine if the ruling is in line with the law and can provide guidance on the interpretation of the law. This can be helpful for lower courts as they are often required to make decisions quickly and may overlook important factors. The appellate court’s decision is the final say in a criminal case, as they are the highest court. The outcome of the decision can have a lasting impact on the defendant’s future. Therefore, the decisions made by the appellate court are extremely important and can be crucial for the criminal justice system in North Carolina.

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