What is the meaning of the terms majority opinion, concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions?

Describe the background and significance of Plessy v. Ferguson.

Why is the Marshall Court considered so central to the nation's history?

Why do you think it is important for justices who disagree with a majority opinion to record their opposition and present their arguments?

a. Write a brief definition for each of the following terms: judicial review, remand, opinion, concurring opinion, and dissenting opinion. b. What are the differences between a concurring opinion and a dissenting opinion?

How does membership of U.S. attorneys in the executive branch allow voters to have a voice in the judicial process?

Explain unanimous rulings, majority opinions, and dissenting opinions. In what ways are they different?

For each term, write a sentence that explains its significance or meaning: grand juries, bankruptcy, misdemeanor, public defenders, appellant, briefs, sovereign immunity.

Identify and Explain: writ of certiorari, docket, amicus curiae brief, majority opinion, concurring opinion, dissenting opinion, stare decisis

When the Supreme Court rules on a case, how many opinions might be written to explain the verdict?

a) one: the majority opinion

b) two: the majority opinion and the dissenting opinion

c) nine: all justices can write an opinion, but only the majority opinion can be used in future cases

d) nine: all justices can write opinions that can be cited in future cases but only majority opinions are considered law

Court Opinions. Read through the subsection in this chapter entitled "Decisions and Opinions." (See How to Read and Understand Case Law.)

• One group will explain the difference between a concurring opinion and a majority opinion.
• Another group will outline the difference between a concurring opinion and a dissenting opinion.
• A third group will explain why judges and justices might write concurring and dissenting opinions, given that these opinions will not affect the outcome of the case at hand, which has already been decided by majority vote.

What is the importance of a dissenting opinion?

How might the judiciary be different if judges served only limited terms?

For each term, write a sentence that explains its significance or meaning: original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction, judicial activism, judicial restraint, precedent.