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APPEALS 

After a decision is rendered in a civil or criminal law trial by a trial judge or jury, a party who believes that a ruling was not only unfavorable, but can prove that the issue involves a substantial question as to the validity of a legislative act has the right to have the decision reviewed by a higher court. Appellate Law (also known as appeals process or appellate procedure) consists of the rules and practices by which higher courts review lower court judgments.

Appellate law is different than other forms of litigation in the respect that has no formal discovery, and the appellate record is limited to what was already presented to the trial court. An appeal is presented to a multi-judge appellate panel and is decided almost entirely on the written briefs, including those from amici curiae (Friend of the Court) groups.

There are a lot of decisions made during the course of the trial. For example, if the judge denies a motion to dismiss, the proceedings will continue and the order denying the motion is considered an interim (interlocutory) order. Because these are not final judgments, they are not appealable. The final decision (also known as a final disposition, final judgment, or final order) concludes the case as far as that court is concerned. Appealable judgments are commonly limited to the lower court's final decision. But, there are some exceptions including: instances of plain or fundamental error by the trial court, questions of subject-matter jurisdiction of the trial court, or constitutional questions.

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