How can courts be classified based on their function?

Courts can be classified based on their function as trial and appellate courts. Trial courts are where cases are originally heard and evidence is presented. They have the authority to conduct trials, make determinations on the facts of a case, and render verdicts. These courts serve as the first point of entry into the judicial system for most legal disputes, handling a variety of case types including criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters.

Appellate courts, on the other hand, do not conduct trials or hear new evidence. Instead, they review decisions made by trial courts to determine if legal errors occurred during the original proceedings that could have impacted the verdict. Appellate courts focus on issues of law rather than issues of fact, evaluating whether the law was applied correctly and if proper legal procedures were followed.

This classification is significant because it helps delineate the distinct roles that different levels of courts play within the judicial system, aiding in the understanding of how justice is administered and how legal appeals are structured.