Precedent (stare decisis) is the principle that courts should follow previous rulings when deciding similar cases. The Supreme Court uses precedent to ensure consistency in constitutional interpretation. While the Court can overturn precedent, it usually does so only in significant cases involving societal changes or constitutional evolution.
Precedent provides stability and predictability in the legal system. It explains why Supreme Court decisions from decades ago still affect current laws and rights, and how legal arguments build on past cases.
People think precedent is unchangeable, but the Supreme Court can and does overturn its own previous decisions, though this happens rarely and usually for major constitutional shifts.
Precedent provides stability and predictability in the legal system. It explains why Supreme Court decisions from decades ago still affect current laws and rights, and how legal arguments build on past cases.
People think precedent is unchangeable, but the Supreme Court can and does overturn its own previous decisions, though this happens rarely and usually for major constitutional shifts.