ETS Major Field Test Criminal Justice Practice Test 2026 - Free Major Field Test Practice Questions and Study Guide

The first level of appellate review for lower courts is usually the circuit court. Circuit courts, also known as appellate courts in many jurisdictions, serve as the intermediary level that reviews decisions made by lower trial courts. They do so to ensure that the law has been correctly applied and that the legal proceedings were fair.

When a case is brought to a circuit court, it does not involve a new trial; rather, the circuit court reviews the trial record, examines legal arguments, and listens to the appeals from both sides. This step is crucial for maintaining checks and balances within the judicial system, allowing for possible errors or misinterpretations from the lower courts to be addressed before potentially escalating to higher courts.

Other courts mentioned, such as district and superior courts, primarily serve trial and initial hearing functions rather than appellate review. High-level appellate courts handle appeals that come from circuit courts and are typically higher in hierarchy, focusing on more significant legal issues or questions of constitutional law.