COMM 4024 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Plurality Opinion
7 Apr 2016
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The majority, and therefore controlling opinion, it expresses the judgment of the court and the rationale behind that judgment. The opinion of the court is important because of the precedent it sets. This is the result or outcome of the case. The judgment usually commands a majority, but there may be no majority opinion; two or more opinions expressing varying rationales may combine to provide the judgment, which is of primary interest to the parties in the case. In the absence of an opinion of the court (majority opinion), the plurality opinion is the opinion that commands the most votes. It is controlling, but does not carry the weight of a majority opinion. An unsigned opinion delivering the judgment and/or rationale of the court; per curiam means by the court. these opinions are usually short and unanimous or nearly unanimous.
