What is an appeal?

An appeal is the process that happens when someone has received a judgment or ruling in court that they are not satisfied with. In Texas, an appeal is how a person can challenge a decision made by a lower court, such as a trial court. In an appeal, a higher court will review the lower court’s decision and decide whether the decision should be overturned or modified. To file an appeal in Texas, the person must file a formal written document called a notice of appeal. This document must be filed within thirty days of the lower court’s decision. The appellant and the appellee (the person against whom the appeal is being filed) must then prepare written documents explaining their position on the case. The documents, called appellate briefs, are then given to the higher court, which will then examine the briefs and may choose to hear oral arguments from both the appellant and the appellee. The appeals court will usually issue its decision shortly after the oral arguments. If the appellate court finds that the lower court’s ruling was not proper, it will reverse or modify the ruling. If the appeals court upholds the lower court’s decision, the appellant’s legal rights are exhausted, and the decision is final.

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