Which scenario describes a federal court applying the principle of precedent? a. a defendant convicted of a federal crime applying the principle of precedent? b. a federal judge finds a criminal defendant not guilty because she believes his case should have been tried in a state court. c. a court rules that a state is allowed to racially segregate restrooms because earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses. d. a judge in a u. s. court of appeals overturns a defendant's conviction on the grounds that the law she violated is unconstitutional.

The answer is C. A court rules that a state is allowed to racially segregate restrooms because earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses.

C. A court rules that a state is allowed to racially segregate restrooms because earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses.

The principle of precedent is the idea that a previous legal case is either binding, or persuasive for a court when deciding subsequent cases with similar facts. The concept allows courts to yield predictable and consistent results. This is one of the most important values of common-law legal systems. In this case, the fact that earlier courts ruled in favor of segregated buses is very significant for the court's subsequent decision to allow segregated bathrooms.

debating and finalizing the detail of the policy