Georgia Constitution Practice Exam

What is the nature of the decisions made by the Supreme Court in Georgia?

1. bind all other courts as precedents

2. bind only the Court of Appeals as precedents

3. bind only the Superior Courts as precedents

4. bind all other courts as precedents in constitutional law cases only

The correct answer is: bind all other courts as precedents

The nature of the decisions made by the Supreme Court in Georgia is that they bind all other courts as precedents. This principle is rooted in the doctrine of stare decisis, which dictates that courts must follow the legal precedents established by higher courts in their jurisdiction. Since the Supreme Court of Georgia is the highest court in the state, its rulings serve as the ultimate interpretation of Georgia law, impacting not only lower courts but also influencing how laws are understood and applied throughout the state. When the Supreme Court sets a legal precedent, that ruling must be followed by both the Court of Appeals and the Superior Courts, ensuring uniformity in the application of law. This helps maintain stability and predictability within the legal system, as all courts rely on the same interpretations of law established by the Supreme Court. The binding nature of these decisions reinforces the court's authority in shaping legal principles and providing guidance to lower courts, attorneys, and the public in Georgia. Given this context, options that limit the binding effect of the Supreme Court’s decisions are less accurate, as the court’s rulings extend to all aspects of law, not just constitutional issues or specific types of lower courts.