Status and Value Term Descriptions

Probable: the ruling in a case is probably still good law and would most likely be applied to another case with a similar fact pattern in the same jurisdiction; also used for a statute when it has not been repealed by a legislature or questioned by a court. Questionable: the ruling in a case may still be good law but other different rulings under similar circumstances cast doubt on the issue; also used for a statute when it has not been repealed but has been questioned by a court. Doubtful: the ruling in a case is so old or out of step with modern jurisprudence that it would almost certainly be ignored when deciding a case with a similar fact pattern; also used for a statute that has been declared invalid by a court but remains on the books. No longer good law: the ruling in a case has been directly overruled by subsequent decisions; also used for a statute that has been repealed by a legislature.