Desembargador
In short
An appellate judge serving in higher courts within legal systems influenced by Portuguese law.
In plain words
This is a high-ranking judge who reviews decisions made by lower courts. They work in second-instance courts to ensure laws were applied correctly in previous trials.
A simple example
If a person loses a case in a local court, they can appeal to a Desembargador to have the ruling reconsidered.
Why it matters
They act as a vital check on the legal system by correcting errors made by junior judges. Their rulings help set important legal precedents for the whole country.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse them with a 'Juiz de Direito', who typically handles cases in the first instance rather than on appeal.