On May 20, Arnie Walters's car crashed into a train owned and operated by the Regional Transit Authority at its crossing in Smithville.As a matter of law, the court found that the "Smithville crossing is extremely hazardous and unreasonably dangerous." On December 1 of the same year, Ole and Anna Hanson ran into an RTA train at the same crossing.Does the doctrine of stare decisis require that the court in Hanson accept the conclusion announced in the Walters case?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stare decisis relates to principles of law and how they are applied to conduct. While the conclusion announced in the Walters case may be persuasive, the fact that the issue is a mixed question of fact and law means that the court in Hanson is not required to accept it as binding precedent. The court in Hanson must still undertake its own analysis of the evidence and facts presented to determine if the crossing was, in fact, unreasonably dangerous.

On May 20, Arnie Walters's Car Crashed into a Train