Which type of court is responsible for establishing legal precedents?

The appellate court is responsible for establishing legal precedents because it reviews decisions made by lower courts and interprets the law. When appellate courts issue rulings, those decisions can set legal standards that lower courts are required to follow in future cases. This process of creating legal precedents ensures consistency in the application of the law and provides guidance to judges, attorneys, and the public on how similar legal issues should be handled.

Trial courts, on the other hand, primarily handle the initial cases and settle disputes based on the facts presented. They are crucial for fact-finding and determining the outcome of specific cases, but they do not create binding legal precedents. District courts also function similarly to trial courts, examining cases within their jurisdiction but lacking the authority to establish wider precedents. Municipal courts typically deal with local ordinance violations and minor offenses, and like trial courts, do not contribute to the establishment of broader legal precedents.