A decision is reversed when the appellate court does what?

A decision is reversed when the appellate court does what?

• A. Affirm
• B. Reverse
• C. Remand
• D. Dismiss

Answer: (B)

Reversal means the appellate court overturns the lower court’s ruling. It determines that there was an error in applying the law or in evaluating the facts, so it does not uphold the decision below. Instead, the appellate court substitutes its own judgment for that ruling. After reversing, the case often goes back to the trial court for further action (remand) consistent with the appellate decision, or the appellate court may enter its own judgment if the record allows. This is different from affirming (keeping the lower court’s decision as is), remanding (sending the case back for further proceedings), or dismissing (ending the case).

Reversal means the appellate court overturns the lower court’s ruling. It determines that there was an error in applying the law or in evaluating the facts, so it does not uphold the decision below. Instead, the appellate court substitutes its own judgment for that ruling. After reversing, the case often goes back to the trial court for further action (remand) consistent with the appellate decision, or the appellate court may enter its own judgment if the record allows. This is different from affirming (keeping the lower court’s decision as is), remanding (sending the case back for further proceedings), or dismissing (ending the case).