SLAM LAW - Swanson, Lathen, Alexander, McCann, Prestwich, PC

Appeals: Appeals take place after a case has gone to trial. If a party feels dissatisfied with the result of the trial, he or she can appeal that result to a higher court, called an appellate court. The higher court reviews the trial proceedings to see if the trial judge or jury committed legal errors which resulted in an unfair proceeding. Appeals essentially involve the legal review of evidence and legal arguments presented at trial, but do not involve additional hearings where parties testify or attorneys present other evidence. Instead, the appellate process involves written arguments lawyers submit to a panel of judges, followed by brief oral arguments or presentations to highlight each party's claim about the unfairness of the trial or other similar proceeding.