The initial section explains the position of State appellate courts in the structure of State government and their special role in that context. It suggests that the central goals of State appellate court systems can be divided into four performance areas: (1) protecting the rule of law, (2) promoting the rule of law, (3) preserving the public trust, and (4) using public resources efficiently. Three or four standards are recommended in each area. The standards include the opportunity for multijudge review, the correction of prejudicial errors made by lower tribunals, and the expeditious determination of petitions for which no other adequate or speedy remedy exists. Other are the expeditious resolution of cases; procedural, economic, and physical accessibility of court systems to the public and attorneys; public access to decisions; public education and information; and efficient and effective management of caseloads. Footnotes