Under stare decisis, what binds U.S. district courts?

Under the principle of stare decisis, U.S. district courts are bound to follow the decisions of U.S. Courts of Appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court within the same geographic area. This principle ensures consistency and predictability in the law, as lower courts adhere to established legal precedents. When a higher court, such as a Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, makes a ruling, that decision sets a binding precedent that district courts must follow.

This hierarchy of legal authority is integral to the functioning of the judicial system, as decisions made by higher courts can be pivotal in guiding the outcomes of similar cases in lower courts. It helps maintain a unified application of the law across different jurisdictions within the appellate court system.

The other options do not carry the same binding effect on U.S. district courts. Internal regulations of the court guide procedural matters but do not establish legal precedent. State Supreme Court rulings apply primarily to the state law in question and may not have authority over federal law unless directly addressing issues under the state’s jurisdiction. Lower court decisions, while potentially persuasive, do not have precedential value and do not bind other courts; they may influence future rulings but do not have the same weight as higher court decisions.