Which court's decisions establish binding constitutional precedent for lower courts?

• A. The U.S. Supreme Court.
• B. The U.S. District Court.
• C. The State Court of Appeals.
• D. The U.S. Court of Appeals.

Answer: (A)

Binding constitutional precedent comes from the highest court that interprets the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court holds that role, so its rulings establish nationwide, binding guidance for all lower courts. Once the Court interprets a constitutional issue, all other courts—federal and the states on federal questions—must follow that interpretation, and the Court can overrule its own prior decisions when necessary to clarify or change the law.

In contrast, a U.S. Court of Appeals makes decisions that bind only within its own circuit, not across the entire country. U.S. District Courts are trial courts that must follow higher court rulings rather than set nationwide precedent. State Court of Appeals decide state-law issues (and state constitutional questions) within their jurisdiction, though they must also adhere to Supreme Court interpretations on federal issues.