Which term is a court that reviews decisions of lower courts?

• A. Forfeiture
• B. appellate court
• C. Expungement
• D. Summons

Answer: (B)

An appellate court is a court that reviews decisions of lower courts. Its job is to check whether the trial court correctly applied the law and followed proper procedures, rather than re-litigating the facts of the case. When a party appeals, the appellate court reviews the record, briefs, and sometimes hears oral argument, and then may affirm, reverse, modify, or remand the decision for further proceedings. This is what makes it the correct term for a court that reviews lower-court decisions.

The other terms refer to different concepts. Forfeiture involves confiscation of assets tied to wrongdoing, not a court. Expungement is the process of erasing or sealing a criminal record, not a court. A summons is a notice to appear in court, not a court itself.