The doctrine of stare decisis plays an important role in the U.S. court system. In which of the following cases does it hold that an appeal court's panel is "bound by decisions of prior panels unless an en banc decision, Supreme Court decision, or subsequent legislation undermines those decisions”?

Question

Ex parte Key

Bell v. Lockhart

Hernandez v. New York

United States v. Washington

Answer 1

The correct answer is "United States v. Washington". The doctrine of stare decisis holds that an appeal court's panel is bound by decisions of prior panels unless an en banc decision, Supreme Court decision, or subsequent legislation undermines those decisions.