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STARE DECISIS
Lat.: to stand by that which was decided. Rule by which common law
courts are reluctant to interfere with principles announced in former decisions and therefore rely upon
judicial precedent as a compelling guide to decision of cases raising
issues similar to those in previous cases.
EXAMPLE: A state supreme court rules that a person's privacy interests demand court
protection of telephone toll records from police investigations. Several years later, the issue is brought back to the court. The
prosecutor claims that other states allow the records to be used without interference in privacy and that other privacy protections
can be employed if necessary. Even if some new members of the court agree with the prosecutor, the court most likely will apply
stare decisis and abide by the previous decision.
Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016
"Under the established federal legal system the decisions of one circuit are not binding on other circuits. "[I]t is common knowledge that the decisions of the court of appeals for one circuit are not binding upon the courts of appeals for other circuits." 1B J. Moore, Federal Practice ¶ 04.02[1] (1980)"
- Bonner v. Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11th Cir. 1981)