In the past 20 Supreme Court terms, about 1% of cases have overruled an earlier decision
% of U.S. Supreme court cases that overturned older rulings in each 20-term period
Note: While the Supreme Court was founded in 1789, it didn’t rule on its first case until 1791, and it didn’t overrule a prior decision until 1810.
Source: Library of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court Database at Pennsylvania State University.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
In the past 20 Supreme Court terms, about 1% of cases have overruled an earlier decision
% of U.S. Supreme court cases that overturned older rulings in each 20-term period
| Terms | All cases | Cases that overturned an older ruling | % of cases that overturned an older ruling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2024 | 1471 | 21 | 1.4% |
| 1985-2004 | 2209 | 44 | 2.0% |
| 1965-1984 | 3269 | 69 | 2.1% |
| 1945-1964 | 2531 | 30 | 1.2% |
| 1925-1944 | 3295 | 36 | 1.1% |
| 1905-1924 | 4370 | 10 | 0.2% |
| 1885-1904 | 4901 | 6 | 0.1% |
| 1865-1884 | 4084 | 13 | 0.3% |
| 1845-1864 | 1426 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 1825-1844 | 858 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 1805-1824 | 685 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 1791-1804 | 103 | 0 | 0.0% |
Note: While the Supreme Court was founded in 1789, it didn’t rule on its first case until 1791, and it didn’t overrule a prior decision until 1810.
Source: Library of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court Database at Pennsylvania State University.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
