The Conflict Between Stare Decisis and Overruling in Constitutional Adjudication

29 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2013 Last revised: 18 Sep 2013

See all articles by Steven J. Burton

Steven J. Burton

University of Iowa - College of Law

Date Written: July 7, 2013

Abstract

Neither Supreme Court Justices, nor scholars who have written on the subject, take the view that the Constitution constrains the Court’s power to overrule its constitutional precedents. This essay argues that the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause requires a constitutional law of overruling. Moreover, it proposes such a law on the basis of a conjunction of Marbury v. Madison, Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee, and Cohens v. Virginia, together with Article III’s “case or controversy” requirement. I suggest that the Court should ask whether a precedent in question significantly impairs the constitutionalized Rule of Law. If it does, stare decisis would lapse for the Court, which then could freely consider whether to overrule. I argue that this approach provides due process, is conceptually sound, and is normatively attractive in the constitutional context.

Keywords: precedent, constitutional law, overruling, constitutional adjudication

Suggested Citation

Burton, Steven J., The Conflict Between Stare Decisis and Overruling in Constitutional Adjudication (July 7, 2013). 35 Cardozo Law Review, 2014, Forthcoming, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-31, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2325113

Steven J. Burton (Contact Author)

University of Iowa - College of Law ( email )

Melrose and Byington
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States

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