Final answer:
In deciding a case of first impression, courts consider statutory law, legislative intent, legal textbooks, academic articles, and precedents, among others. A poll of people present in the courtroom or the judge's personal beliefs should not influence the decision. While public opinion can affect court interpretations over time, it doesn't mean courts conform to the majority opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a case of first impression, where a court encounters a new situation or issue it has not dealt with previously, it would consider various sources for guidance. These can include statutory law and legislative intent, legal textbooks and academic articles, and previous court rulings or precedents. This principle of relying on past decisions is termed stare decisis.
These sources help provide an interpretive framework for the court. However, the court is not supposed to consider a poll of those present in the courtroom at the time of the decision or the judge's personal opinions and beliefs. A fair and objective ruling should be based on the law, precedents, and facts of the case rather than personal beliefs or popular opinion. The courts are also influenced by public opinion to some extent. However, this does not mean that they take a poll or conform to the majority opinion on an issue. Instead, shifts in societal views and norms over time can affect how courts interpret laws and make rulings.
Learn more about Court Decision-making here,