What term describes appeals that review the trial court's record to determine facts but decide questions of law without giving deference to the trial court's findings?

What term describes appeals that review the trial court's record to determine facts but decide questions of law without giving deference to the trial court's findings?

• A. Appellate Review
• B. De Novo Appeals
• C. Direct Appeal
• D. Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer: (B)

This describes the standard of appellate review known as de novo review. In this approach, the appellate court re-examines the trial record and determines factual questions anew, rather than simply accepting the trial court’s findings, and it also resolves questions of law without giving deference to the trial court’s conclusions. That combination fits the description in the prompt: the facts are reviewed afresh, and legal issues are decided without deferential treatment to the trial judge. The other options don’t fit as well: a general appellate review covers multiple standards of review; a direct appeal typically honors the trial court’s factual determinations unless there’s a reversible error of law; a writ of habeas corpus is a collateral challenge to detention, not a standard appellate review of trial court findings.

This describes the standard of appellate review known as de novo review. In this approach, the appellate court re-examines the trial record and determines factual questions anew, rather than simply accepting the trial court’s findings, and it also resolves questions of law without giving deference to the trial court’s conclusions. That combination fits the description in the prompt: the facts are reviewed afresh, and legal issues are decided without deferential treatment to the trial judge. The other options don’t fit as well: a general appellate review covers multiple standards of review; a direct appeal typically honors the trial court’s factual determinations unless there’s a reversible error of law; a writ of habeas corpus is a collateral challenge to detention, not a standard appellate review of trial court findings.