In the context of appellate review, what does "affirm" mean?

In the context of appellate review, "affirm" refers to the appellate court agreeing with the lower court's decision. When an appellate court affirms a lower court's ruling, it indicates that after reviewing the case, the appellate judges have found no errors in the original decision that would warrant reversing or altering it. This suggests that the findings, conclusions, or the way the law was applied by the lower court are upheld.

An affirmation implies that the appellate court believes the lower court acted correctly and that the ruling is to remain in effect. This process is a key component of the appellate system, where higher courts ensure that lower courts have followed legal principles and procedures correctly.

The other options do not accurately define "affirm": overturning a decision entails a reversal, referring a case back suggests a remand, and modifying would involve changing aspects of the ruling. Each of these terms carries its own distinct meaning within appellate practice, underscoring the importance of precise language in legal contexts.