Compare and contrast the tasks of trial and appellate courts.

Trial courts decide a defendant's guilt or innocence. In other words, they consider factual evidence as it is presented (e.g., witnesses, the cross examination of witnesses, and physical evidence). This is why these courts are called fact-finding courts. Only one judge presides over a case at trial. In contrast, several judges participate when a case appears before an appellate court. No witnesses are called and no evidence is presented. Appellate court judges review legal decisions made by trial courts; their function is to correct legal errors made by lower courts. In doing so, they make policy.