What is the definition of an appeal in legal terms?

An appeal in legal terms refers to a formal request made to a higher court to review and reconsider the decision made by a lower court. This process allows a party who is dissatisfied with the lower court's ruling to seek a different outcome based on various grounds, such as perceived errors in the application of law or deficiencies in the court process. The appellate court then evaluates the submitted case details, including the record of the lower court proceedings, legal arguments, and sometimes oral arguments from both parties, to determine whether to uphold, reverse, or modify the lower court's decision.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of an appeal. A demand for evidence relates to the discovery process in litigation, which is about obtaining information from the opposing party. A notice of a party's intent to settle pertains to negotiations to resolve a case without further legal proceedings, rather than challenging a court's ruling. A declaration of guilt or innocence is associated with the verdict or judgment rendered in a trial, not the process of seeking a reevaluation of a decision made by a lower court. Therefore, the definition provided in the first choice aligns precisely with the legal understanding of an appeal.