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This is how the judicial system works in the USA. It's a hierarchy, from the district courts to the circuit courts on up to the Supreme Court. Basically, decis
by CWuestefeld 15y ago
This is how the judicial system works in the USA.
It's a hierarchy, from the district courts to the circuit courts on up to the Supreme Court. Basically, decisions made at one level may be binding on that court and its "descendents", but that's as far as it goes. If you want a decision to reach nation-wide, it's got to be handed down by the Supreme Court.
- jstalin 15y agoOn top of that, this is a decision by a magistrate, which is one step below a District Court judge, so it can be appealed to the District Court, then to an Appeals Court, then the Supreme Court. A magistrate's opinion, unfortunately, has no binding effect at all (on anything other than this case).
- simcop2387 15y agoIt does however have some help in setting precedent for arguing in those later courts, if both parties agree with the judge and don't pursue the matter further. It doesn't guarantee that it will be listened to but it does help later on.
- davedx 15y agoAnd this ruling only affects the NY District.