AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

True or False: When the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a matter, all other courts must follow that ruling.

1. True

2. False

3. Only federal courts

4. Only state courts

The correct answer is: True

When the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling on a matter of law, it establishes a precedent that all lower courts, both federal and state, are required to follow. This principle is known as "stare decisis," which means that courts should adhere to previously established rulings when deciding similar cases. The Supreme Court functions as the highest court in the United States, and its decisions are binding on all other courts within the jurisdiction. The rationale behind this is to ensure a uniform application of the law across the country, providing consistency in legal interpretations and decisions. This binding effect extends to all lower federal courts and state courts, making the ruling applicable regardless of the level or type of court in the judicial system. Thus, saying that all other courts must follow a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is indeed true.