From abortion rights to the availability of guns to whether a company can discriminate based on race, the Supreme Court is currently considering several cases that will make momentous decisions for the entire nation and world. But if you’re new to reading Supreme Court decisions, the legal language, unique formatting and structure can feel like climbing a tall rock face without a guidebook. The article below provides an overview of what to expect and tips on interpreting the court’s rulings.
The court’s decision is called a “holding.” The opinion includes the court’s reasoning, which explains why the court agreed with the result of the case and how it came to that conclusion. The opinion may also explain which existing precedent — holdings from other Supreme Court cases – applies to the facts of the current case. The opinion may also include a concurrence or dissent. A concurrence identifies the Justice who wrote it, and a dissent describes why the writer disagrees with the Court’s decision.
A dissenting Justice’s opinion is not binding and does not change the outcome of the case, but it can still be influential. A dissent can lay the foundation for future court rulings to overturn the decision. A dissent can also serve as a warning to lower courts that the Supreme Court could overturn their ruling. The dissenting opinions of Justices are published in the Official Reports, which are available for free through the library system and online.