What type of appeal is available to a denied applicant to the superior court?

• A. appeal on the record
• B. de novo appeal
• C. habeas corpus
• D. mandamus

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that when a denied applicant seeks relief in the superior court, the court reviews the decision de novo. That means the superior court considers the matter from the start as if no previous decision existed, weighing the evidence anew and making its own findings of fact and conclusions of law. New evidence can be presented, and the court isn’t tightly bound by what the agency decided or how it weighed the facts. This provides a fresh, comprehensive review of whether the denial was appropriate.

That’s why this option is the best choice here: it reflects a full reconsideration of the case rather than a limited check of the agency’s record. An appeal on the record would confine the court to the agency’s existing record, which isn’t as favorable for someone challenging a denial. Habeas corpus is for challenging unlawful detention, and mandamus is about forcing a government body to perform a duty; neither addresses reviewing the propriety of a license-denial decision.