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The "opinion of the Court" is synonymous with the Court's decision. The Opinion gives the verdict and explains the reasoning behind the decision reached.
The privilege of writing the official opinion falls to the most senior justice in the majority group, or to the Chief Justice if he voted with the majority; this person may choose to write the opinion, or may assign the task to another member of the majority.
If the justices who voted against the majority wish to issue a unified dissenting opinion, they decide amongst themselves who will author the opinion, then the others, if in agreement, will "join" the opinion.
Individual justices may write their own opinions, regardless of whether they agree with the majority. Justices may also "join" or sign any other written opinion they agree with. This generally strengthens the verdict.
All published opinions except for Per Curiam decisions may be used as precedent in future litigation.
For more information about Supreme Court opinions, see Related Links, below.
Yes. If the Chief Justice votes with the majority, he has discretion over who writes the opinion. The Chief Justice may choose to author the opinion himself if the case is particularly important, or within an area of his (or her) legal expertise. Otherwise, the Chief Justice may assign writing the opinion to another member of the majority.
Sometimes. The opinion of the Court is always written by someone in the majority group. If the Chief Justice voted with the majority, he or she decides who will write the opinion. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote most of the Supreme Court opinions during his tenure on the bench, from 1801-1835. Usually, the Chief Justice will share this honor and responsibility with other justices on the Court, only writing a select few opinions himself.
For more information, see Related Questions, below.
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This person assigns the writing of opinions to the justices?
chief justice
What are the steps in deciding major supreme court cases?
Someone petitions the Supreme Court to review a case on appealThe lawyers submit briefsThe justices vote to decide which cases to hearThe Clerk schedules oral argumentsThe justices read all briefs and lower court documentsThe justices have their clerks research precedents and other informationThe justices listen to oral argumentsThe justices hold a case conference to discuss issues and take a voteOne justice is assigned to write the official opinion of the CourtThe opinion is circulated for commentsOther justices write concurring or dissenting opinions (optional)The decision is released to the parties and the general public
The nine Justices hear cases and deliver?
The nine Justices hear cases and deliver rulings and opinions on them. One or more Justice will write a dissenting opinion if they disagree with the ruling.
What Supreme Court procedure involves justices discussing a case debating its key issues and arriving at their own opinions on the appropriate ruling?
Sharing opinions- Apex
Ask us statement best summarizes the inaccuracy contained in this description of the Supreme Court's decision-making process?
Justices write opinions after the verdict has been determined, not before public arguments.
This person assigns the writing of opinions to the justices?
chief justice
When do supreme court justices write their case opinions?
There is time allotted for writing opinions during the two-week period following a sitting for oral arguments, and after all case arguments are completed in April of the current Term. Justices may write anytime they choose, however. First, the justices meet in a closed conference to discuss the case and take a preliminary vote. They may then attempt to persuade other justices to their point-of-view before taking a final vote. After the final vote, the Senior member of the majority (the Chief Justice is always most senior) assigns writing the opinion of the Court to one of the justices in the majority. Often, the justice who was least persuaded to the majority perspective is given the task; other times, the opinion is assigned to a justice with particular expertise in the subject matter; or the Chief Justice or Senior Associate may choose to write the opinion him/herself. Those in the minority decide amongst themselves who will write opinions. Any justice may write a concurring or dissenting opinion, or may join one written by another justice.
When do supreme court justices write the case opinions?
There is time allotted for writing opinions during the two-week period following a sitting for oral arguments, and after all case arguments are completed in April of the current Term. Justices may write anytime they choose, however. First, the justices meet in a closed conference to discuss the case and take a preliminary vote. They may then attempt to persuade other justices to their point-of-view before taking a final vote. After the final vote, the Senior member of the majority (the Chief Justice is always most senior) assigns writing the opinion of the Court to one of the justices in the majority. Often, the justice who was least persuaded to the majority perspective is given the task; other times, the opinion is assigned to a justice with particular expertise in the subject matter; or the Chief Justice or Senior Associate may choose to write the opinion him/herself. Those in the minority decide amongst themselves who will write opinions. Any justice may write a concurring or dissenting opinion, or may join one written by another justice.
What are the steps in deciding major supreme court cases?
Someone petitions the Supreme Court to review a case on appealThe lawyers submit briefsThe justices vote to decide which cases to hearThe Clerk schedules oral argumentsThe justices read all briefs and lower court documentsThe justices have their clerks research precedents and other informationThe justices listen to oral argumentsThe justices hold a case conference to discuss issues and take a voteOne justice is assigned to write the official opinion of the CourtThe opinion is circulated for commentsOther justices write concurring or dissenting opinions (optional)The decision is released to the parties and the general public
The nine Justices hear cases and deliver?
The nine Justices hear cases and deliver rulings and opinions on them. One or more Justice will write a dissenting opinion if they disagree with the ruling.
What determines the outcome of a case heard by supreme court?
After all th opinions have been written and finalized, the justices announced their final decisions. The decisions are from the majority vote of the justices
Which key player on the US Supreme Court either writes or assigns the majority opinion?
The Chief Justice if he (or she) voted with the majority; otherwise, the senior justice in the majority group assigns the task or writes the opinion him- or herself.More InformationThe "opinion of the Court" is synonymous with the Court's decision. The Opinion gives the verdict and explains the reasoning behind the decision reached. The privilege of writing the official opinion falls to the most senior justice in the majority group, or to the Chief Justice if he voted with the majority. This person may choose to write the opinion, or may assign the task to another member of the majority.If the justices who voted against the majority wish to issue a unified dissenting opinion, they decide amongst themselves who will author the opinion, then the others, if in agreement, will "join" the opinion.Individual justices may write their own opinions, regardless of whether they agree with the majority. Justices may also "join" or sign any other written opinion they agree with. This generally strengthens the opinion.All published opinions except for Per Curiam decisions may be used as precedent in future litigation.
What is the most reliable way to get the opinions of experts on any writing topic?
What is the most reliable way to get the opinions of experts on any writing topic?
What Supreme Court procedure involves justices discussing a case debating its key issues and arriving at their own opinions on the appropriate ruling?
Sharing opinions- Apex
When Supreme Court justices compose their draft preliminary opinions the main audience they are seeking to influence is?
their colleagues on the court
Why do justices precedents in majority opinions and dissents?
To show that other cases with similar circumstances came to a similar decision
What do supreme court justice do during their two week recess?
The justices consider the cases and state their opinions on each case.
