Stare decisis is the guiding principle of case law because it relies on what?

• A. The use of statutory codes in decisions.
• B. Precedents established by prior cases.
• C. Random chance.
• D. Judicial activism.

Answer: (B)

Stare decisis relies on precedent established by prior cases to guide decisions. Judges look to earlier rulings with similar facts to determine how to rule now, treating those earlier decisions as binding or highly persuasive. This creates consistency across rulings, helps courts work efficiently, and gives people and institutions a reliable expectation of how laws will be interpreted. It also helps ensure that like cases are treated alike within the same jurisdiction, providing stability in the legal system.

The other ideas don’t fit the mechanism of stare decisis: relying on statutory codes would mean decisions are driven primarily by statutes themselves rather than by past judicial decisions; random chance would produce unpredictable outcomes; and judicial activism refers to judges altering or overturning established precedent or pushing policy, which is the opposite of following prior decisions.