Which court typically handles trials in the U.S. legal system?

The correct answer is that trial courts are the primary venues for handling trials in the U.S. legal system. These courts are responsible for hearing cases for the first time and making determinations of fact and law. In trial courts, evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and juries may be involved in the decision-making process.

District courts, as a specific example of trial courts in the federal system, also fall under this category. They handle various types of cases, including civil and criminal matters. Thus, the functions and purposes of trial courts encompass those of district courts, reinforcing their role in the legal process.

Conversely, appellate courts and the Supreme Court do not conduct trials. Instead, they focus on reviewing decisions made by lower courts to ensure the law was applied correctly and justice was upheld. These courts address appeals and do not engage in fact-finding or witness examination, which distinguishes them from trial courts.