The phrase for a written opinion by a justice expressing a minority viewpoint in a case is:

The phrase for a written opinion by a justice expressing a minority viewpoint in a case is:

• A. Dissenting opinion
• B. Concurring opinion
• C. Majority opinion
• D. Per curiam opinion

Answer: (A)

A dissenting opinion is the written statement by a justice expressing a minority viewpoint in a case. Justices write dissents when they disagree with the ruling or the reasoning of the majority, outlining alternative interpretations of the law or constitutional questions. Dissenting opinions record an opposing judgment and can influence future debates or later cases, even though they do not change the outcome. In contrast, a concurring opinion agrees with the outcome but offers different reasoning, the majority opinion presents the court’s official decision and reasoning, and a per curiam opinion is typically an unsigned decision issued by the court as a whole.

A dissenting opinion is the written statement by a justice expressing a minority viewpoint in a case. Justices write dissents when they disagree with the ruling or the reasoning of the majority, outlining alternative interpretations of the law or constitutional questions. Dissenting opinions record an opposing judgment and can influence future debates or later cases, even though they do not change the outcome. In contrast, a concurring opinion agrees with the outcome but offers different reasoning, the majority opinion presents the court’s official decision and reasoning, and a per curiam opinion is typically an unsigned decision issued by the court as a whole.