stare decisis
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Bouvier (1839)
Definitions from Case Law
From 309 U.S. 106 - Helvering v. Hallock · 1940Most cited · 1,468 citing opinions
stare decisis embodies an important social policy. It represents an element of continuity in law, and is rooted in the psychologic need to satisfy reasonable expectations. But stare decisis is a principle of policy and not a mechanical formula of adherence to the latest decision, however recent and questionable, when such adherence involves collision with a prior doctrine more embracing in its scope, intrinsically sounder, and verified by experience.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
To abide by or adhere to decided cases. It is a general rule that, when a point has been settled by a decision, it becomes a precedent which should be followed in subsequent cases before the same court. The rule is based wholly on policy, in the interest of uniformity and
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
To abide or adhere to decided cases. It isa general maxim that when a point has been settled by decision, it forms a precedent which is not afterwards to be departed from. The doctrine of stare decisis is not always to be relied upon, for the courts find it necessary to overrule cases which have been hastily decided, or conof such overruled cases may be found in the American and English books of reports. Mr. Greenleaf has made a collection of such cases, to which the reader is referred. Vide 1 Kent, Com. 477; Livingst. Syst. of Pen. Law, 104, 5.