Questions: A decision of a state court is binding on all courts inferior to it in its jurisdiction. Thus, the decision of a state supreme court binds all other courts in that state.
Transcript text: A decision of a state court is binding on all courts inferior to it in its jurisdiction. Thus, the decision of a state supreme court binds all other courts in that state.
Solution
The answer is True: A decision of a state court is binding on all courts inferior to it in its jurisdiction. Thus, the decision of a state supreme court binds all other courts in that state.
Explanation:
Hierarchy of Courts: In the judicial system of the United States, courts are organized in a hierarchical structure. At the state level, the state supreme court is the highest court, followed by intermediate appellate courts (if any), and then trial courts.
Binding Precedent: The principle of stare decisis dictates that lower courts must follow the legal precedents set by higher courts within the same jurisdiction. This ensures consistency and predictability in the law.
State Supreme Court Decisions: Decisions made by a state supreme court are considered the final interpretation of state law within that state. Therefore, all lower courts in that state, including intermediate appellate courts and trial courts, are bound by the decisions of the state supreme court.
Example: If the California Supreme Court makes a ruling on a particular legal issue, all lower courts in California, such as the California Courts of Appeal and the California Superior Courts, must follow that ruling in future cases involving the same issue.
In summary, the statement is true because the decisions of a state supreme court are binding on all inferior courts within that state’s jurisdiction.