What type of court is a federal court of appeals?

A federal court of appeals is classified as an appellate court because its primary function is to review decisions made by lower courts, specifically district courts. Appellate courts do not conduct trials; instead, they evaluate the legal aspects of a case to determine if the law was applied correctly. This involves examining the record from the trial court for any errors in the application of law or procedures that may have affected the outcome of the case.

Appellate courts focus on issues such as interpretations of law and procedural fairness rather than factual determinations, which are the responsibilities of trial courts. Because federal courts of appeals operate at a higher level than district courts, the appellate function serves to ensure that the judicial process remains consistent and fair across different cases and jurisdictions.