Question

question 8 of 10
which scenario describes a federal court applying the principle of precedent?

a. a federal judge finds a criminal defendant not guilty because she believes his case should have been tried in a state court.

b. a court rules that a state is allowed to racially segregate restrooms because earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses.

c. a defendant convicted of a federal crime appeals to the supreme court, but his request is denied.

d. a judge in a u.s. court of appeals overturns a defendant’s conviction on the grounds that the law she violated is unconstitutional.

Explanation:

The principle of precedent (stare decisis) means a court follows rulings from prior similar cases. Option B directly shows a court relying on an earlier court decision to make its ruling, which is the core of applying precedent. The other options do not involve a court basing its decision on a prior judicial ruling: Option A is about venue, Option C is a denied appeal with no reference to precedent, and Option D is about ruling a law unconstitutional without citing prior case law.

Answer:

B. A court rules that a state is allowed to racially segregate restrooms because earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses.