What is a trial de novo?

• A. A new trial in superior court for misdemeanors from district court
• B. An appeal to a higher court without new evidence
• C. A reexamination of witnesses in the same court
• D. A summary proceeding without a full trial

Answer: (A)

A trial de novo is a full retrial on appeal in a higher court, conducted as if the original trial never happened, with the opportunity to introduce new evidence and call witnesses again. This is typically used when a case from a lower court, such as district or municipal court, is appealed to a superior court, and the higher court starts fresh rather than just reviewing the lower court’s record. That’s why describing it as a new trial in superior court for misdemeanors from district court matches the concept. An appeal without new evidence is a standard appellate review of the lower court’s record, not a new trial. Reexamination of witnesses in the same court isn’t a de novo retrial, and a summary proceeding lacks a full trial.