Which of the following is a characteristic of a majority opinion?

A. The chief justice usually writes the majority opinion if they are a part of the majority.

B. All justices who are a part of the majority are required to write a majority opinion.

C. A majority opinion is only written if the justices are in universal agreement on a case.

D. Justices who are not a part of the majority must eventually agree with the majority opinion.

A majority opinion explains the reasoning behind a Supreme Court decision and is typically written by the chief justice if they are in the majority. All justices don't have to agree on the reasons, and justices can write separate concurring or dissenting opinions. Its primary purpose is to establish legal precedent based on the majority's agreement.

Explanation:

Characteristics of a Majority Opinion

A majority opinion is a judicial opinion that reflects the decision of a majority of the justices on the Supreme Court, and it outlines the reasoning behind the judgment. Here are some key characteristics:

The chief justice usually writes the majority opinion if they are a part of the majority. This means if the chief justice agrees with the majority, they have the responsibility of assigning who will write the opinion.
Not all justices in the majority are required to write a majority opinion. While justices can express agreement or disapproval through separate concurring opinions or dissenting opinions, only one majority opinion is issued.
A majority opinion is written even if there is no universal agreement on the reasoning. Justices are not required to agree on the rationale behind the decision.
Justices who disagree with the majority do not have to agree with the majority opinion. They can express their dissenting views through a separate opinion.

In summary, the majority opinion serves as an explanation of the Court's decision and carries significant weight in future cases.

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