District Courts of Appeal provide the opportunity for review of decisions of lower courts by how many judges?

• A. Three judges
• B. Five judges
• C. One judge
• D. Seven judges

Answer: (A)

Appellate review by a District Court of Appeal is typically done by a panel of three judges. This three-judge layout provides a balanced and efficient way to review lower court decisions, allowing for multiple perspectives and a more robust deliberation than a single judge could offer. It keeps the process manageable and timely while still ensuring careful consideration of the issues on appeal. Not having a three-judge panel would be unusual for this level of court; a single judge would reduce the check on the lower court’s ruling, and five or seven judges would alter the standard panel size for this court. In some situations, the court may sit en banc with a larger group, but the normal review is on a three-judge panel.