Is case law such an integral part of our legal system? How do decisions differ among various district cour?

Question

Why is case law such an integral part of our legal system? How do decisions differ among various district court?

Answer 1

It's an integral part because we like to follow those rules set down in the past. This is not to say that a higher court can't overturn the decision if times have changed.

Decisions vary among various courts becuase of jurisidiction. One jurisdiction doesn't have to follow another court's rulings. For example if MA decides g*y marrage is legal, but TX says it's not, it doesn't matter because TX has no power over MA. Now if it was the Supreme Court saying, like in Roe v. Wade, you have a right to an abortion, then it's against the law anywhere to make a law against it. This is because the Supreme Court technically has jurisdiction over everyone because of the constitution.