Definition
A majority opinion is the controlling judicial opinion when a majority of participating judges agree on both the result and the reasoning.
Political Dictionary
Majority Opinion
A majority opinion states the reasoning supported by more than half of the judges deciding a case.
Why It Matters
It establishes the court’s binding holding and guides future cases.
How It Works
One judge writes the opinion, and enough colleagues join it to create a majority.
History
Majority opinions became the standard form for explaining appellate decisions.
Example
Five Supreme Court justices may join one opinion, making it the Court’s controlling decision.
Common Misconceptions
- The most senior judge always writes it.
- Every justice must agree with every sentence.
- A plurality opinion is always a majority opinion.
Related Terms
Related Topics
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