What is the role of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the justice system?

The United States Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court between the District Courts and the Supreme Court of the United States. There are 13 Courts of Appeals in the United States, with 11 numbered circuits, and the District of Columbia and Federal Circuits. The court hears appeals from the district courts and federal agencies.

The court does not retry cases, but rather reviews decisions made by lower courts or federal agencies. It evaluates the legal decisions of district courts and federal agencies to determine if they were legally correct. The Court of Appeals reviews cases de novo, which means it considers the case anew, and makes its own judgment on the law, facts, and evidence presented. The Court of Appeals has the power to affirm, modify, or reverse the decision made by the lower court or agency. If a decision is reversed, the case may be remanded, or sent back, to the lower court or agency for further proceedings.