What is a decision written by a Supreme Court justice who agrees with the finding but for different reasons?
Asked by: Dr. Narciso Littel Jr. | Last update: April 6, 2026Score: 5/5 (55 votes)
That decision is called a concurring opinion, a written statement by a Supreme Court justice (or judge) who agrees with the final outcome of a case but disagrees with the reasoning or legal basis of the majority opinion, instead offering their own distinct rationale for reaching the same result. These opinions provide alternative legal theories, clarify points, or express differing judicial philosophies, adding valuable perspective to the Court's jurisprudence.
What is a written decision by the Supreme Court called?
Opinions. The term “opinions” as used on this website refers to several types of writing by the Justices. The most well-known opinions are those released or announced in cases in which the Court has heard oral argument.
When a justice agrees with the Supreme Court ruling on a case but for different reasons he or she may write a separate statement called a?
Concurrence: A vote of an appellate judge that indicates the judge's agreement with the result or judgment of the majority opinion, but for different reasons. A judge who concurs may write a separate opinion known as a concurring opinion.
What is an agreeing opinion with the Supreme Court called?
A concurring opinion is an appellate opinion of one or more justices or judges which supports the result reached in a case for reasons not stated in the majority opinion.
When a Supreme Court justice agrees with the majority opinion but for a different reason?
concurring opinion. A concurring opinion is an opinion that agrees with the majority opinion but does not agree with the rationale behind it. Instead of joining the majority, the concurring judge will write a separate opinion describing the basis behind their decision.
How Do Supreme Court Justices Make Decisions? | Justice System Explained
When all Supreme Court justices agree to an opinion, it is known as a __________ opinion.?
The main opinion may take dif- ferent forms, depending on how the justices decide certain issues. Sometimes decisions are unani- mous—all of the justices agree and offer one rationale for their decision, so the Court issues one unanimous opinion.
What is an opinion written by a justice who signed the majority opinion but disagrees with its reasoning?
dissenting opinion. A dissenting opinion refers to an opinion written by an appellate judge or Supreme Court Justice who disagrees with the majority opinion in a given case. A party who writes a dissenting opinion is said to dissent.
What does unanimous decision mean in the Supreme Court?
Unanimous in part means that all justices joined at least part of the court's opinion, but at least one justice wrote separately as well. Fully unanimous means that all justices joined the court's opinion in full, and none wrote separately.
What is a Supreme Court decision?
The Supreme Court (also known as SCOTUS or simply the Court) mostly hears cases on appeal from lower courts. These might be state supreme courts, federal circuits, or appellate courts of any level. The Court's decision is final and can only be overturned by its own later decision or a constitutional amendment.
What is an opinion written by Supreme Court justices who do no agree with a decision?
A dissenting opinion (or dissent) is an opinion in a legal case in certain legal systems written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.
What does "remanded" legally mean?
To remand something means to send it back, or to return. The usual contexts in which this word are encountered are in the reversal of a lower court, or regarding the custody of a prisoner. A prisoner is said to be remanded when they are sent back into custody to await trial.
When all justices agree on a decision?
Sometimes the majority opinion is a unanimous opinion, which means that all of the Justices agreed on the outcome and the reasoning. Ideological dissonance within the Court can make unanimity elusive in major cases. However, a famous example of a unanimous opinion is Brown v.
What is another name for a court decision?
Judgment: A court decision. Also called a decree or an order. Judgment File: A permanent court record of the court's final disposition of the case.
What are the four types of opinions in the Supreme Court?
There are a few different types of Supreme Court opinions, such as dissenting opinions, majority opinions, plurality opinions, concurring opinions, and per curiam opinions.
What is a case decision?
Cases, also called opinions or decisions, are court-made law. Courts settle disputes between two or more parties, guided by the law found in the statutory codes, in the regulations, and in similar cases decided by the courts.
How are Supreme Court decisions written?
A majority of Justices must agree to all of the contents of the Court's opinion before it is publicly delivered. Justices do this by "signing onto" the opinion. The Justice in charge of writing the opinion must be careful to take into consideration the comments and concerns of the others who voted in the majority.
What is an example of a unanimous decision?
Real-world examples
In a criminal trial, a jury must unanimously agree on the defendant's guilt or innocence for a verdict to be reached. A private club may require all current members to unanimously approve the admission of a new member before they can join.
Does a Supreme Court decision have to be unanimous?
A majority decides the case. That means that a Court of Appeals case can be decided by two out of three judges, and a Supreme Court case can be decided by four out of seven justices. Judges or justices who disagree with the majority decision are said to dissent from the opinion. How does a defendant win an appeal? »
What is a written opinion of the Supreme Court called?
Definition: Written statements explaining the Supreme Court's decision in a case. Opinions fall into four types: opinions of the Court (majority opinions), judgments of the Court (plurality opinions), concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions.
What does granted mean in legal terms?
In legal terms, 'granted' refers to the official approval or acceptance of a motion or request made to the court. When a motion is granted, it signifies that the court has decided in favor of the party making the request, allowing them to proceed with their legal strategy or action.
What is a dissent in the Supreme Court?
Dissents in the Supreme Court are opinions submitted by justices who disagree with the majority ruling, reflecting differing legal interpretations and philosophies.
What is a statement by a court in a written opinion?
With respect to law, “opinion” primarily refers to a judicial opinion, which is a court's written statement explaining the court's decision for the case.
What does a judge's written opinion usually contains?
A judge's written opinion is a crucial aspect of the judicial process. It typically includes a summary of the case and a statement of the facts, the author's name along with the names of the judges or justices who agree with the opinion, and an explanation of the court's reasoning as well as a record of the decision.