What does precedent mean

Alabama passed a virtually identical law that the courts blocked and now is on appeal to the U. Supreme Court. An appeals court affirmed a lower court's decision to block the Alabama law — based on precedent — but practically begged the Supreme Court to review it.

The crown is asking for months jail time for Michael Theriault in the assault of Dafonte Miller. Defence lawyer Michael Lacy calls that "completely divorced from legal precedent". Is precedent used correctly in the following sentence? The judge broke with precedent by ruling in a way that contradicted previous decisions. The effort is meant to set a legal precedent for mining on the lunar surface that would allow NASA to one day collect ice, helium or other materials useful to colonies on the moon and, eventually, Mars.

In the judicial branch, legal precedent still protects officers from the consequences of deadly force with qualified immunity. There is precedent for previous records being dismissed once disproven.

Indeed, the Japanese-owned corporation has set a horrible precedent. Roberts has shown a tendency in other political law cases to make broad pronouncements, upsetting precedent. Furthermore, being designated as a victim of a separate genocide and not a Holocaust victim is precedent -setting.

Is there any recent precedent for a reluctant but strong warrior in Republican politics? The council, however, resolved not to indulge the king, for fear of a dangerous precedent. The Pope replied that reconciliation with the Church was an indispensable condition precedent. Prothero's case defied all rule and precedent , and Brodrick was not prepared with a judgment of his own. So dangerous a precedent being once admitted, it became necessary to resort to still other expedients.

All rights reserved. Filters 0. Words form: precedents. See word origin. An act, statement, legal decision, case, etc. The definition of precedent is a decision that is the basis or reason for future decisions.

An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future. A practice based upon earlier precedents. Save Word. Definition of precedent Entry 1 of 2. Definition of precedent Entry 2 of 2. Precedent and the Supreme Court Noun A precedent is something that precedes , or comes before.

Examples of precedent in a Sentence Adjective behavior that may be explained by a precedent event in her troubled life Noun Suddenly, against all historical precedent just for that week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have morphed into a well-organized and dependable outfit. He says that the government will set a dangerous precedent if it refuses to allow the protesters to hold a rally.

The judge's ruling was based on legal precedent. Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Judge Barrett did not entirely embrace the notion of super- precedent.

Supreme Court. First Known Use of precedent Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined above Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1. History and Etymology for precedent Adjective and Noun Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praecedent-, praecedens , present participle of praecedere — see precede.

Learn More About precedent. Time Traveler for precedent The first known use of precedent was in the 15th century See more words from the same century.

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. Phrases Related to precedent break with precedent set a precedent. Statistics for precedent Look-up Popularity. Style: MLA. English Language Learners Definition of precedent.