Which statement describes the mandatory authority in federal district court for federal issues?

Which statement describes the mandatory authority in federal district court for federal issues?

• A. Federal appellate courts outside the district's circuit only
• B. State supreme courts
• C. US Supreme Court and the federal circuit court in the circuit where the district is located
• D. The district court itself is the only mandatory authority

Answer: (C)

In federal court, the sources that must guide decisions on federal questions come from the highest binding authorities. The US Supreme Court decisions are binding on all federal courts, so they always control. Within a given circuit, the decisions of that circuit’s Court of Appeals are also binding on district courts in that circuit. That means a district judge must follow the circuit’s interpretations of federal law just as surely as they follow Supreme Court rulings. State supreme courts do not bind federal courts on federal issues, and a district court’s own prior rulings do not override binding Supreme Court or circuit precedent. So the statement that the mandatory authority comprises the US Supreme Court and the federal circuit court in the circuit where the district sits is the best description of what federal district courts must follow for federal questions.

In federal court, the sources that must guide decisions on federal questions come from the highest binding authorities. The US Supreme Court decisions are binding on all federal courts, so they always control. Within a given circuit, the decisions of that circuit’s Court of Appeals are also binding on district courts in that circuit. That means a district judge must follow the circuit’s interpretations of federal law just as surely as they follow Supreme Court rulings. State supreme courts do not bind federal courts on federal issues, and a district court’s own prior rulings do not override binding Supreme Court or circuit precedent. So the statement that the mandatory authority comprises the US Supreme Court and the federal circuit court in the circuit where the district sits is the best description of what federal district courts must follow for federal questions.