What is the role of a trial court?

The role of a trial court is to serve as the initial forum for adjudicating disputes and conducting trials. In this capacity, trial courts are responsible for examining the evidence, hearing witness testimony, and evaluating legal arguments presented by both parties involved in the case. This original adjudication process is crucial as it establishes the factual and legal basis of a case before any appeals or further legal actions can take place.

Trial courts conduct both civil and criminal proceedings, ensuring that disputes are resolved based on the facts presented during the trial. They deliver judgments or verdicts that can then be subject to appeals in higher courts, thereby playing a foundational role in the judicial system.

The other options focus on functions that are characteristic of appellate or specialized courts. For example, reviewing decisions from lower courts is specifically the function of appellate courts, which do not conduct trials or hear new evidence. Similarly, hearing appeals from other courts is also indicative of appellate jurisdiction, while the assignment of remedies in equity relates more to specific equitable courts rather than the general role of trial courts.