Which type of court hears cases that have been appealed from lower courts?

The correct answer is the appellate court because its primary function is to review and decide cases that have been appealed from lower courts. Appellate courts focus on determining whether the law was applied correctly in the original trial and whether proper procedures were followed. They do not conduct trials or hear new evidence; instead, they rely on the record from the lower court and the arguments presented by the parties involved.

While trial courts are where cases are initially heard and decided, they do not handle appeals. The supreme court typically serves as the highest appellate court within a given jurisdiction, but it specifically reviews cases that have significant legal implications or that have been appealed from appellate courts. Circuit courts vary in their functions depending on the jurisdiction, often serving as trial courts or intermediate appellate courts.

Thus, the appellate court is the most accurate designation for the court responsible for hearing appeals from lower courts, making it the right choice in this context.