What is one of the main functions of a court of appeals?

A court of appeals primarily functions as a reviewing body rather than a trial court. Its role is to assess the proceedings from lower courts, focusing on the application of law rather than the examination of new evidence. When cases are appealed, the appellate court reviews the record of the trial court, including transcripts and evidence presented, to determine if there were any legal errors that could have affected the outcome of the case.

This is crucial for maintaining consistency and upholding the rule of law, ensuring that legal standards are applied correctly across various cases. The court may affirm, reverse, or remand the case based on its findings. In contrast, courts of appeals do not conduct new trials with fresh evidence; they do not have the authority to issue search warrants, nor is their primary purpose to establish new legal precedents, although their decisions can set important legal standards that may influence future cases.