What are trial courts primarily responsible for?

Trial courts are primarily responsible for being the initial venues where cases are heard and decided. They serve as the entry point into the judicial system, handling both civil and criminal cases. In these courts, evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and a judge or jury makes determinations based on the facts of the case.

This distinct role is crucial because trial courts establish the factual record and are responsible for applying the law to these facts. Importantly, they provide a forum for justice, allowing parties to present their sides and seek resolution.

Other options pertain to aspects outside the primary function of trial courts. While appeals of trial court decisions occur in appellate courts, it is the trial courts that actually conduct the original proceedings. Enforcing laws is a broader function typically related to law enforcement agencies, rather than the jurisdiction of trial courts themselves. Creating new legal statutes falls under the purview of legislative bodies and not the judiciary, as courts interpret laws rather than create them.