What type of court does not use juries and bases decisions on written records?

Appellate courts serve the function of reviewing decisions made by lower courts rather than conducting trials. They do not use juries; instead, these courts rely solely on the written records from the trial courts, along with legal briefs submitted by the parties involved. The judges in appellate courts examine these records to determine whether legal procedures were followed correctly and whether the law was applied appropriately. Their decisions are based on legal arguments rather than witness testimonies or physical evidence, making them distinct in the judicial process. This practice ensures that the integrity of the legal interpretation is maintained, focusing on the application of law rather than the facts of a case.

Other court types, such as municipal, justice, and county courts, typically handle trial cases where evidence is presented and juries may be used. Therefore, their operation differs fundamentally from that of appellate courts, which do not engage in the initial fact-finding process.