What is the primary function of the Georgia Court of Appeals?

The primary function of the Georgia Court of Appeals is to review decisions made by lower courts. This court acts as an appellate court, meaning it does not conduct trials or hear new evidence; instead, it evaluates the records from prior cases. The judges assess whether legal procedures were followed correctly and whether the law was applied appropriately in those decisions. This review process is essential for ensuring that justice is served and that decisions can be upheld or overturned based on legal merits.

Conducting trials is the role of trial courts, which address the facts of the case, while the appellate courts focus solely on issues of law. Enforcing the law is primarily the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and not the court system. Representing the state in legal matters typically falls under the duties of the Attorney General or other state lawyers, rather than the appellate courts, which are focused on reviewing the application and interpretation of law in previous cases.