What is the difference between an appeal and a mandamus?

Appeals and mandamus are both legal remedies that are used when someone believes they have been wronged in the courtroom. The major difference between an appeal and a mandamus is the type of remedy being sought. An appeal is used when the person believes there has been a procedural or factual error in a previous court decision that needs to be overturned. The court of appeals will review the facts of the case and reverse the original decision if they determine that the original court made an error. A mandamus, on the other hand, is used when the person believes that there has been an abuse of discretion by the court or decision-maker. In a mandamus case, the higher court will not review the facts of the case to determine if a mistake was made. Instead, the court will review the law and decide if the decision-maker followed the law correctly. If the court determines that the decision-maker did not follow the law correctly, it may reverse the decision. In California, there are three levels of appeals: trial court, appellate court, and Supreme Court. The appeal is a way for individuals to challenge the decisions of a lower court. However, a mandamus is a way to challenge the decisions of an administrative agency or government official. This means that a mandamus may be used to challenge a decision made by a state agency or a decision made by an elected official.

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