What is an Appeal to the US Circuit Courts of Appeals?

The US Courts of Appeals hears cases appealed from the Federal District Courts. Like all appellate courts, the Courts of Appeal review cases to determine:

• whether the correct law was applied, and
• whether it was applied correctly, and
• whether the law, as applied, violates rights provided by the US Constitution.

How do cases arrive before the Federal Courts of Appeal?

Generally, appeals derive from a request by the losing party at trial. In some cases, however, a party may make an interlocutory appeal, which is an appeal of a single issue before the case has been decided. 

This is only allowed, however, when the issue is extremely important or would effectively decide the case. 

The losing party generally requests permission to file an appeal with the Court of Appeals. 

The court will either grant the request or deny it making final the decision on the appealed issue.

• Relevant Law: Rule 18 of the Supreme Court Rules, provides the procedure for appeal from a district court ruling. 28 USC 2107 outlines the time period for appeal.

Related Topics

• US Courts (Intro)
• What is the Authority for Article III Courts?
• What is the Authority for Article I Courts?
• What is the authority for courts under Article II?
• What is the authority for Article IV Territorial Courts?
• What is the authority for State Courts?
• What are Article III Courts?
• What are Article I Administrative Courts?
• What are Article IV Territorial Courts?
• What are state courts?
• What is Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• What is Federal Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• What is State Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• Can a Federal trial courts hear state matters & vice versa?
• Can a Federal appellate court hear federal matters & vice versa?
• What is Personal Jurisdiction?
• How to establish Federal Court Personal Jurisdiction?
• How to establish State Court Personal Jurisdiction?
• What is a Long-Arm Statute?
• Who are the primary players in the state judicial system?
• What types of judges are part of the judiciary?
• What are the duties of trial judges in the legal system?
• Contempt of Court
• Declaratory Judgment
• Equitable Relief
• Equity - Definition
• What are the duties of Appellate Judges & Justices?
• De Novo Review
• What is the role of jurors in the judicial system?
• What number of jurors and juror votes are required for guilt or liability?
• What do Attorneys do?
• Who are the other players in the judicial system?
• US Circuit Court?
• US Supreme Court?
• Appeals from Legislative and Administrative Courts
• Appeals in the state court system?