Which term describes a court decision that furnishes an example or authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts?

• A. Legal cause of action
• B. Legal precedent
• C. Order of a typical criminal trial
• D. Closing argument

Answer: (B)

Legal precedent is a court decision that provides an example or authority for deciding later cases with identical or similar facts. In common law systems, past rulings guide future decisions, with higher court rulings binding lower courts within the same jurisdiction under the doctrine of stare decisis, ensuring consistency and predictability. The description in the question matches this concept because it highlights a decision used to decide subsequent cases.

The other terms describe different ideas: a legal cause of action is the claim someone sues on, not a ruling that guides later cases; an order of a typical criminal trial is a procedural directive; a closing argument is the final summary presented at trial.