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Civilrights.org > Judiciary > Federal Court System
The Difference between Trial Courts and Appellate Courts
LCCR/EF focuses on federal appellate courts, because the outcome of appeals cases have the potential to affect large numbers of people.
| Trial Court |
Appellate Court |
| Federal trial courts are called district courts. |
Federal appellate courts are called courts of appeals. Cases can be further appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. |
| Cases are heard for the first time in a trial court. |
If either party disagrees with the decision in the trial court, they can appeal, asking a higher court to review the decision. |
| Cases only affect the people involved with the case. |
The outcome of appeals cases have the potential to affect large numbers of people, because these decisions are binding on district courts within the circuit. |
| The two sides present evidence and witnesses, and either a judge or a jury makes a decision based on the evidence presented. |
No new evidence is presented, the judge(s) simply review the materials from the original trial and determine whether the lower court made the correct legal decision. |
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