What can the Supreme Court do as part of its appellate jurisdiction?

The Supreme Court's role in its appellate jurisdiction primarily involves reviewing decisions made by lower courts, which can include both state-level courts and federal courts. This function allows the Supreme Court to interpret the law, ensure consistency in legal precedents, and protect constitutional rights. When the Court reviews a case, it has the authority to uphold, modify, or overturn the decisions made by those lower courts based on its interpretations of the Constitution and federal law.

This responsibility is essential for maintaining a uniform interpretation of the law across the United States and serves as a check on the other branches of government, ensuring that their actions adhere to constitutional principles. By acting as the final arbiter in legal disputes, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the American judicial system.

The other options relate to functions that are outside the scope of the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction. For instance, initiating investigations on legislative matters is not within the purview of the Court, as it does not engage in legislative functions. Additionally, drafting new amendments is the responsibility of Congress, not the Court, and conducting trials for federal offenses is typically the domain of lower federal courts, since the Supreme Court does not conduct trials but rather hears cases on appeal.