• Law
College

When the Supreme Court rules on a case, how many opinions might be written to explain the verdict?

A. One: the majority opinion
B. Two: the majority opinion and the dissent
C. Nine: all justices can write an opinion, but only the majority opinion can be used in future cases
D. Nine: all justices can write opinions that can be cited in future cases, but only majority opinions are considered law

Answer :

Final answer:

The Supreme Court can issue multiple written opinions on cases, including a majority opinion, concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions. Only the majority opinion serves as law for future cases, while dissenting opinions can influence future discussions. Understanding these various opinions is crucial for grasping the judicial decision-making process.


Explanation:

Understanding Supreme Court Opinions

The Supreme Court's rulings can involve multiple written opinions that explain the verdict. When the Court decides a case, typically there are different types of opinions: the majority opinion, concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions.

  1. Majority Opinion: This is written by one or more justices who agree on the outcome of the case. A majority of justices (at least five out of nine) must agree on the decision, and it serves as the governing law for future cases.
  2. Concurring Opinion: Justices who agree with the majority decision but have different reasons for doing so may write concurring opinions. These provide additional viewpoints but do not alter the legal standing of the majority opinion.
  3. Dissenting Opinion: Justices that disagree with the majority can write dissenting opinions to express their reasoning. While these opinions do not have legal force, they are important in discussions for future cases, providing insight into the differing legal interpretations.

In conclusion, all justices can write opinions; however, only the majority opinion holds legal weight in future rulings, while dissenting opinions may shed light on potential changes in the law.


Learn more about Supreme Court Opinions here:

https://brainly.com/question/16641975