{"id":358031,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:21","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/litigation-and-appeals.html"},"modified":"2023-11-28T13:47:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:47:50","slug":"litigation-and-appeals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/litigation-and-appeals.html","title":{"rendered":"Litigation and Appeals Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Litigation and Appeals Explained<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Litigation refers to the process of resolving disputes in court, where attorneys present evidence and argue the facts of a case before a judge or jury. Appeals happen after a trial and focus on whether the court made legal or procedural mistakes that affected the outcome.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Together, litigation and appeals cover both the courtroom process and the legal review that follows when a party believes the trial court got something wrong. If your legal matter goes to trial or you need to challenge a court\u2019s decision, a litigation or appellate attorney<\/a> can guide you through each stage of the process.<\/p>\n

Not all court cases involve litigation. But how does your attorney choose which court to bring your case to? Keep reading to learn what litigation and appeals mean for you and your lawyer.<\/p>\n

Litigation, Appeals, and the Courts<\/h2>\n

Litigation is the process of arguing a case in court. Courts are broadly divided into\u00a0criminal<\/a>, which handles violations of the law, and\u00a0civil<\/a>, which handles everything else.<\/p>\n

Criminal courts have divisions that hear criminal cases according to type. Depending on the size of the state or county, a criminal court division may include:<\/p>\n