When a previous decision does not apply to the current facts, a court will ________, saying, in effect, that this case is different and cannot be decided by looking to past rulings.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Distinguishing the present case allows a court to explain why the current facts and circumstances make the case different from previous cases, and thus why past rulings or precedents do not apply directly. This approach acknowledges the unique aspects of the current case that prevent a direct application of precedent.

When a Previous Decision Does Not Apply to the Current