stare decisis

noun

sta·re de·ci·sis | \ ˌster-ē-di-ˈsī-səs

, ˌstär- \

Definition of stare decisis

: a doctrine or policy of following rules or principles laid down in previous judicial decisions unless they contravene the ordinary principles of justice

Examples of stare decisis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It's settled as a precedent of the Supreme Court entitled to respect under principles of stare decisis. — NBC News, 8 May 2022 In recent Supreme Court decisions overturning precedent, the liberal minority has accused the conservative majority of ignoring some of the principles of stare decisis to overturn precedents that conservatives don't like. — Tierney Sneed, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked if the court's decisions in Roe and Casey were wrong to begin with, how that would counter the stare decisis principle. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2021 In legalese, the doctrine the justices will consider on Wednesday is called stare decisis. — Ariane De Vogue, CNN, 30 Nov. 2021 Justice Brett Kavanaugh pushed back on the argument for stare decisis — the principle that the court should stick to its past rulings — and suggested some of the nation’s most significant cases were repeals. — Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 2 Dec. 2021 Justice Stephen Breyer stressed the importance of stare decisis -- the legal principle that courts generally adhere to precedent. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2021 Just one argued in favor of Roe, that clerk handing Souter 32 crystalline pages that centered on stare decisis -- the doctrine that held, as Souter did, that legal precedents should ordinarily not be overruled. — Joshua Prager, CNN, 23 Sep. 2021 Chief Justice John Roberts begrudgingly joined with the court’s four liberals at the time out of deference to stare decisis. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, 28 July 2021 See More

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Dictionary Entries Near stare decisis

stare at (someone)

stare decisis

stare down

Statistics for stare decisis

Last Updated

12 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Stare decisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stare%20decisis. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for stare decisis

stare decisis

noun

sta·re de·ci·sis | \ ˈster-ē-di-ˈsī-sis, ˈstär-ē-; ˈstä-rā-dā-ˈkē-sēs

Legal Definition of stare decisis

: the doctrine under which courts adhere to precedent on questions of law in order to insure certainty, consistency, and stability in the administration of justice with departure from precedent permitted for compelling reasons (as to prevent the perpetuation of injustice)