A court decision is a judicial determination of parties’ rights and obligations reached by a judge on the facts and law of a case. Court decisions can be a ruling, an opinion or an order.
The Supreme Court decides a small number of cases each year by “opinion.” An opinion is one or more writings by Justices that set out the Court’s judgment in a case and explain how the justices reached that judgment. Most Supreme Court opinions consist of a syllabus, the majority or principal opinion and either concurring or dissenting opinions. The lead Justice on the case writes the majority or principal opinion, with the other justices reviewing and suggesting edits. If a Justice writes a concurrence it explains the alternative grounds on which they reached the same conclusion as the majority or the plurality. Dissenting Justices write a dissenting opinion explaining why they did not agree with the majority’s conclusions.
In deciding cases, the Supreme Court generally follows precedent – earlier court decisions on similar facts and issues – unless there is reason to believe that those earlier cases were wrongly decided or the present case raises significant new legal questions. The Justices consider the record of the case before them, including oral arguments and written briefs from the parties and amicus curiae. The solicitor general or someone from the solicitor general’s office usually argues cases on behalf of the United States.
A court may make an affirm, modify or reverse order. An affirm order upholds the trial court’s judgment or order. A modification orders the trial court to change its previous decision. A reverse order overturns the trial court’s judgment or order and sends the case back for a new trial or hearing. The Supreme Court’s decisions also often include details about awarding costs on appeal – who will be responsible for paying the other party’s attorney fees and expenses incurred during the appeal process.