The U.S. Court of Appeals is a federal court that hears appeals from lower courts, including U.S. District Courts and some federal administrative agencies. It is part of the federal judiciary and is divided into 13 circuits, each covering a specific geographic area. The court's primary role is to review decisions made by these lower courts to ensure that the law was applied correctly. Judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals do not conduct trials or hear new evidence; instead, they review the records of the case and listen to arguments from both sides. Their decisions can set important legal precedents that affect future cases and interpretations of federal law.