What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

Original jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear a case for the first time, meaning it serves as the trial court where the case is initiated and evidence is presented. In contrast, appellate jurisdiction involves the review of decisions made by lower courts. Courts with appellate jurisdiction do not hear the case anew; rather, they evaluate the legality and correctness of the lower court's decision based on the record and legal arguments from the parties involved.

The distinction is crucial to understanding how the judicial system operates. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court primarily serves as an appellate court, reviewing cases that have been decided by lower federal or state courts, whereas district courts or trial courts commonly exercise original jurisdiction. This clear separation allows the judicial system to efficiently manage cases while ensuring that legal errors can be corrected at higher levels.