What is appellate jurisdiction?

Appellate jurisdiction refers specifically to the authority of a higher court to review and modify the decisions made by lower courts. This process typically involves examining the record from the lower court's proceedings, including evidence and testimonies, to determine if there were any legal errors that warrant a reversal or modification of the lower court's decision.

The role of appellate courts is crucial in the legal system, as they ensure the consistency and correctness of judicial rulings. They do not conduct new trials; instead, they evaluate the application of law and whether the legal procedures were followed appropriately in the case being reviewed. This helps to uphold the rule of law and provides a mechanism for correcting potential injustices that might have occurred in earlier court proceedings.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of the judicial system. Hearing a case for the first time refers to original jurisdiction, which pertains to trial courts. The jurisdiction over criminal cases is a broader category and does not specifically relate to the review and modification of prior decisions. Dismissing cases can occur in both trial and appellate courts but does not define appellate jurisdiction. Thus, the distinction of appellate jurisdiction lies in its focus on the review and oversight of existing legal decisions rather than the initial determination of cases or broader categories