Final answer:
Appellate courts can affirm, reverse, or remand a case on appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court, as the final court of appeal, selects cases through a writ of certiorari but most cases are heard by the court as appellate jurisdiction. Remaining federal courts adhere to a three-tiered structure, with appellate courts reviewing district court decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the appeal of a case, appellate courts can take a few different actions. They can simply affirm the decision of the lower court, meaning they agree with the verdict and it will stand as is. Another option is to reverse, which means the appellate court disagrees with the lower court's decision and changes the verdict. Lastly, they can remand the case, sending it back to the lower court for further proceedings possibly due to a legal error that may have affected the decision. This structure ensures that the judicial system works with logic and consistency through adherence to the precedent, building a cohesive legal framework.
The U.S. Supreme Court is the final court of appeal, making it the "court of last resort." However, the Supreme Court picks which cases it will hear through a selective process, generally involving a writ of certiorari. If a case is not selected, the prior ruling of the lower court stands. The U.S. federal court system operates as a three-tiered structure: district court, U.S. courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court, with cases potentially moving up this ladder.