Decisions made by judges that become rule of law and apply to future cases are known as:

• A. Precedent
• B. Regulation
• C. Ordinance
• D. Statute

Answer: (A)

When a judge decides a case and that decision creates a rule that guides future similar cases, that rule is called precedent. The idea, expressed through stare decisis, is that courts should stand by decisions already made to keep the law predictable and consistent. Precedent binds courts in the same jurisdiction to apply the same rule to future cases with similar facts, though higher courts can overrule or modify it.

Regulations, ordinances, and statutes are different sources of law. Regulations are rules created by government agencies to implement statutes; ordinances are local laws enacted by municipalities or counties; statutes are laws enacted by legislative bodies. None of these originate from a judge’s decision, though courts may interpret or apply them.