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By Rowan Wolf (about the author) Page 3 of 3 page(s)
ALITO: Well, I think the doctrine of stare decisis is a very important doctrine. It's a fundamental part of our legal system.
And it's the principle that courts in general should follow their past precedents. And it's important for a variety of reasons. It's important because it limits the power of the judiciary. It's important because it protects reliance interests. And it's important because it reflects the view that courts should respect the judgments and the wisdom that are embodied in prior judicial decisions.
It's not an exorable command, but it is a general presumption that courts are going to follow prior precedents.

Univ. of Alabama protest 1963
Students burning desegregation literature. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
www/uncommonthought.com/mtblog/
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