{"id":369034,"date":"2021-01-25T07:29:12","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T12:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/how-to-read-a-supreme-court-opinion.html"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:08:42","slug":"how-to-read-a-supreme-court-opinion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/how-to-read-a-supreme-court-opinion.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Supreme Court Opinion?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">What Is a Supreme Court Opinion?<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/maddy-teka-esq\/\">Maddy Teka, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/bridget-molitor-jd\/\">Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            August 11, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li><span data-term-id=\"59666328\">U.S. <\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666330\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666330\"> decisions<\/span> \u2014 and the rationale behind them \u2014 are expressed in formal documents called opinions.<\/li>\n<li>These documents may contain a <span data-term-id=\"59666331\">concurring opinion<\/span> or <span data-term-id=\"59666327\">dissenting opinion<\/span> from justices who want to expand or disagree with the <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666340\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666340\"> of the United States<\/span> plays a fundamental role in protecting the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. But reading a <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> opinion can be complicated and intimidating.<\/p>\n<p>This article provides a general guide to understanding <span data-term-id=\"59666347\">U.S. <\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666347\"> opinions<\/span>. Knowing how to read an opinion can help you prepare for an ongoing legal case.<\/p>\n<p>But case law can be easily misunderstood, and every case involves unique factors. You may want to consult a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trial attorney<\/a> about how a <span data-term-id=\"59666330\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666330\"> decision<\/span> could shape the outcome of your case.<\/p>\n<h2>Parts of a <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> Opinion<\/h2>\n<p>In most cases, a <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> opinion consists of the components below. To see how these pieces fit together in context, you can find examples of opinions in FindLaw\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/us-supreme-court\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> case database<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span data-term-id=\"59666334\">Syllabus<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666334\">syllabus<\/span> describes the facts of the case. It also explains the procedure of how the case reached the <a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span><\/a>. The <span data-term-id=\"59666334\">syllabus<\/span> summarizes the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> case, but it\u2019s not part of the opinion. It is also not law itself.<\/p>\n<h3><span data-term-id=\"59666350\">Main Opinion<\/span>\/Binding Decision<\/h3>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span> gives the official decision. It also provides a legal analysis of how the Justices came to that decision.<\/p>\n<p>This <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span> could take one of the three forms below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-term-id=\"59666339\">Unanimous opinion<\/span><\/strong>: When all the justices agree on the decision as well as the rationale for the decision<\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-term-id=\"59666332\">Majority opinion<\/span><\/strong>: When more than half the justices agree on the decision<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plurality opinion<\/strong>: When there is no majority but a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/plurality.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">plurality<\/a>, which is the highest amount of justices that agree on the same decision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In rare cases, there may be a tie. This can occur if there\u2019s a vacancy or when a justice\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/abstain.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">abstains<\/a>\u00a0from a case. In the event of a tie, the <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower court<\/span>\u2019s decision will stand.<\/p>\n<p>Usually, the Chief Justice or an Associate Justice will write the <span data-term-id=\"59666332\">majority opinion<\/span>. But sometimes, the Court publishes a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/opinion.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59666329\">per curiam opinion<\/span><\/a>. A <span data-term-id=\"59666329\">per curiam opinion<\/span> does not specify the justice who wrote the opinion.<\/p>\n<h3>Disposition<\/h3>\n<p>Usually, the Court will outline what action it will take at the end of the <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span>. This is called a disposition. A disposition may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/affirm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Affirming<\/a>\u00a0the <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower court<\/span>\u2019s decision<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/reverse.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overturning<\/a>\u00a0the <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower court<\/span>\u2019s ruling<\/li>\n<li>Sending the case back to the <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower court<\/span> (<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/remand.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remand<\/a>\u00a0the case)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the Court does not remand the case, the case is over.<\/p>\n<h2>Other Types of Opinions<\/h2>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span> isn\u2019t always unanimous with identical legal reasoning among the justices. One or more of the justices may write additional <span data-term-id=\"59666323\">opinions of the court<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>These concurring and <span data-term-id=\"59666327\">dissenting opinions<\/span> don\u2019t affect the outcome of the case. But they\u2019re important. <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> opinions are analyzed in future cases. Concurring and <span data-term-id=\"59666327\">dissenting opinions<\/span> may provide an alternate interpretation of the laws.<\/p>\n<h3>What Is a <span data-term-id=\"59666331\">Concurring Opinion<\/span>?<\/h3>\n<p>A justice may write a <span data-term-id=\"59666331\">concurring opinion<\/span> if they agree with the outcome of the <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span> but base their decision on different legal reasoning. The underlying differences between the <span data-term-id=\"59666350\">main opinion<\/span> and a <span data-term-id=\"59666338\">concurrence<\/span> can be significant \u2014 even if their final conclusions are the same.<\/p>\n<h3>What Is a <span data-term-id=\"59666327\">Dissenting Opinion<\/span>?<\/h3>\n<p>Justices who disagree with both the decision and the reasoning may write <span data-term-id=\"59666327\">dissenting opinions<\/span>. They can explain why they believe the framework of law should be interpreted differently.<\/p>\n<h2>How Do Cases Get to the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> doesn\u2019t follow the same procedures as <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower courts<\/span> when it comes to taking cases. Unlike other courts, the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/how-does-the-u-s-supreme-court-decide-whether-to-hear-a-case.html\">choose which cases to hear<\/a>. It maintains a <span data-term-id=\"59666324\">docket<\/span> system, which records these cases.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/certiorari.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Certiorari <\/a>is a legal term that means a case can advance to the next level of court review. When the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> grants certiorari, it means at least four of the nine justices agreed to hear a case. A <span data-term-id=\"59666345\">denial of certiorari<\/span> means that there weren\u2019t enough justices who agreed to hear the case.<\/p>\n<p>But in general, cases reach the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> in one of the following three ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Appeals of federal cases<\/li>\n<li>Original jurisdiction<\/li>\n<li>Appeals of state cases concerning federal law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>An Appeal From the Federal Court of Appeals<\/h3>\n<p>A party who wants to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/appeal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appeal<\/a>\u00a0a decision can file a petition for\u00a0certiorari (cert). The petition informs the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> that the party would like the Court to review the decision. This is the most common way cases reach the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>The Court can grant a <span data-term-id=\"59666342\">writ of certiorari<\/span> and accept the case. It may also decline to hear the case, making the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/appealing-a-court-decision-or-judgment.html\">appellate court\u2019s decision<\/a> regarding that matter final. The Court receives approximately 7,500 requests for cert and grants <span data-term-id=\"59666325\">oral argument<\/span> in approximately 80 cases.<\/p>\n<h3>The Court May Have Original Jurisdiction<\/h3>\n<p>In certain instances, the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> may hear some cases first.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Article III, Section II<\/a>\u00a0of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a>\u00a0outlines this rare but important\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/federal-or-state-court-subject-matter-jurisdiction.html\">jurisdiction<\/a>. Accordingly, the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> has original jurisdiction in legal disputes among states and cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court exercises original jurisdiction approximately once per term.<\/p>\n<h3>Appeals From a State <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a state <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">supreme court<\/span> rules on a case involving an application or interpretation of the U.S. Constitution or federal law, the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> may choose to hear the case on appeal. The <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> has the authority to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/the-supremacy-clause-and-the-doctrine-of-preemption.html\">preempt state court decisions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is the Role of the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> can decide cases involving federal law and those arising under the Constitution. It ultimately serves as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/the-u-s-supreme-court-overview.html\">interpreter of the Constitution<\/a>. The <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> is the highest court in the United States, which means its decisions are binding not only on the parties but also on other cases with similar facts and legal issues.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>\u2019s Opinions vs. Other Legislation<\/h2>\n<p>Congress can create national laws within the Constitution\u2019s limits. These laws are called statutes. Sometimes,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/congress.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Congress<\/a>\u00a0gives the federal government\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">executive branch<\/a>\u00a0the power to make rules, regulations, and executive orders.<\/p>\n<p>The <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> has the power to interpret the laws made by the other branches. If the Court finds that the laws contradict the Constitution, it can invalidate them and make them inoperative.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Can Overrule a <span data-term-id=\"59666330\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666330\"> Decision<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<p>As the highest court of the land, the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>\u2019s decision is final except when:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A new <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> opinion overturns and replaces the old precedent<\/li>\n<li>Congress <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article1\/annotation23.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">changes the law<\/a> that formed the basis of an opinion<\/li>\n<li>Congress and state legislatures <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article5.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amend the Constitution <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span> holds a significant level of power in the U.S. legal system, these are a few ways this power can be checked.<\/p>\n<h2>Get In-Depth Legal Counsel<\/h2>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"59666330\">Supreme Court<\/span><span data-term-id=\"59666330\"> decisions<\/span> have a large impact on cases involving similar legal questions throughout the country. Even if your case doesn\u2019t go before the <span data-term-id=\"59666322\">Supreme Court<\/span>, previous opinions might be relevant to a <span data-term-id=\"59666326\">lower court<\/span>\u2019s interpretation of law. Speaking with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trial lawyer<\/a> can help you evaluate how federal case law may play a role in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" 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for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw&#8217;s Litigation section describes the components of a Supreme Court opinion and how the Court decides whether to issue a writ of certiorari.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":369021,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["SEO Title Length","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned","External 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