Appellate Jurisdiction

Definition

Appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority of a higher court to review and revise decisions made by lower courts. This means that the higher court has the power to hear appeals and determine if errors were made in the original trial.

Related terms

Supreme Court: The highest level of federal appellate jurisdiction, where cases are heard after going through lower federal courts or state supreme courts.

Circuit Courts of Appeals: Intermediate level federal appellate courts that review decisions made by district courts within their specific geographic regions.

Petition for Certiorari: A request for the Supreme Court to review a case after it has gone through an intermediate appellate court.