Changes

A decision in one Court of Appeal does not bind (control) the decisions in other Courts of Appeals.  However, it is common for a Court of Appeal to refer to decisions in other Courts of Appeal when resolving an issue before it, when there is no prior decision in its own Court of Appeal that controls the outcome.

A decision in one Court of Appeal does not bind (control) the decisions in other Courts of Appeals.  However, it is common for a Court of Appeal to refer to decisions in other Courts of Appeal when resolving an issue before it, when there is no prior decision in its own Court of Appeal that controls the outcome.

=== 3-judge panels ===

==== Appellate courts use 3-judge panels ====

Unlike the district court level, where decisions are rendered by only one "trial" judge, the decisions rendered by the Court of Appeals is by a 3-judge panel.  It's an odd number to reduce the possibility of a tie vote.

Unlike the district court level, where decisions are rendered by only one "trial" judge, the decisions rendered by the Court of Appeals is by a 3-judge panel.  It's an odd number to reduce the possibility of a tie vote.