What is the term for an appellate court overturning or negating the lower court's decision?

What is the term for an appellate court overturning or negating the lower court's decision?

• A. Remand
• B. Affirm
• C. Reverse
• D. Harmless error

Answer: (C)

When a higher court reviews a decision, it can take several actions: affirm, reverse, remand, or evaluate harmless error. The term for overturning or negating the lower court’s ruling is to reverse. Reversing means the appellate court found an error in the lower court and substituted its own judgment, effectively nullifying that part of the decision. Sometimes a reversal comes with remand, sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings in light of the appellate ruling. Affirm means upholding the lower court’s decision, and harmless error refers to a standard for deciding whether any error was so insignificant that it didn’t affect the outcome.

When a higher court reviews a decision, it can take several actions: affirm, reverse, remand, or evaluate harmless error. The term for overturning or negating the lower court’s ruling is to reverse. Reversing means the appellate court found an error in the lower court and substituted its own judgment, effectively nullifying that part of the decision. Sometimes a reversal comes with remand, sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings in light of the appellate ruling. Affirm means upholding the lower court’s decision, and harmless error refers to a standard for deciding whether any error was so insignificant that it didn’t affect the outcome.