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A court decision that furnishes an example or authority for deciding subsequent cases in which identical or similar facts are presented is called

  1. Stare decisis

  2. A precedent

  3. A common law

  4. An analogy

The correct answer is: A precedent

A court decision that furnishes an example or authority for deciding subsequent cases in which identical or similar facts are presented is called a precedent. Precedents are important in law because they provide guidance for future cases and help to ensure consistency in the application of the law. Stare decisis (A) is a Latin term meaning "let the decision stand," and it refers to the principle of following established precedents. Common law (C) is a legal system based on custom and court decisions rather than statutes. An analogy (D) is a comparison between two things that helps to explain or illustrate something. While analogies may be used in legal arguments, they are not the same as precedents.