Originally Posted by Superguy
That sucks. So I take it that SCOTUS is the only one that can change precedent?
*btw, I was a govie and SCOTUS was the term they used for the court, so I'll continue to use it.
(Sigh)...I guess I'm powerless to stop the use of that acronym.
No, other courts can essentially nullify a precedent. For example, say a district court within the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on a particular question of law. Later, in a separate case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issues an decision on that same question. The old district court case is essentially irrelevant, at least on the question of law later addressed by the Ninth Circuit.
Likewise, the Ninth Circuit could later decide to overrule one of its earlier precedents.