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Why might unanimity of opinion be difficult for US Supreme Court justices?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Decisions are often split down political and ideological lines. The justices of the current US Supreme Court are polarized in their ideologies, with Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito representing an ultra-conservative bloc in opposition to Justices Stevens, Breyer, Ginsburg and Sotomayor, who represent the progressive bloc. Justice Kennedy's mixed voting record provides a degree of balance to the Court, and ensures not alldecisions favor federalism and big business, or undermine civil rights and personal liberties.
The ultra-conservative justices were commissioned in an era that began during the Reagan administration, when Republican political views moved to the extreme right. Presidents Reagan and both Presidents Bush attempted to select justices who reflected this ideology and were, for the most part, successful.
All of the justices appointed under Republican administrations are still young (relatively speaking) and can be expected to remain on the Court for many more years, depriving the current Democratic President of replacing a conservative justice with a more liberal justice.
Because the Republican administrations held sway for many years, the progressive justices tend to be older, and more likely to retire during Obama's tenure. This is unlikely to affect the balance of the Court, but will tend to support the ideological polarization.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What is the definition of a majority opinion in the US Supreme Court?
A majority opinion is the agreed decision of more than half the justices who heard the case. Under most circumstances, a simple majority would be five of nine justices (5/9); however, there have been many times when only eight sat on a case (5/8), and it's legally possible for as few as six justices to consider a case (2/3).
Who is least influenced by public opinion?
Supreme court justices
A simple majority of the justices is enough to render a Court opinion?
Yes, a simple majority of the justices is enough to render a Court opinion. In the U.S. Supreme Court, for example, there are nine justices, and a majority vote of at least five justices is required to decide a case and issue a written opinion.
A simple majority of the justices is enough to render a?
This will render a Supreme Court opinion.
What is a written statement by most of the justices in support of a Supreme Court decision?
The agreed ruling of more than half of the Supreme Court justices is called a majority decision; the written document is called a majority opinion or the "opinion of the Court."
What means to disagree with the majority opinion on the Supreme Court?
To dissent; if the justices disagree with the majority opinion, they write a dissenting opinion.
What is the term for a court opinion reflecting the views of most of the justices in the US Supreme Court?
Majority opinion - Also called the "Opinion of the Court," this is the official verdict in the case that represents the vote of the majority of justicesPlurality opinion - In a case where no opinion received majority support, a plurality is the opinion joined by the most justices
For the majority ruling on the Supreme Court there needs to be at least justices who agree?
For a majority ruling on the Supreme Court, a minimum of five out of the nine justices must agree. This is because a majority decision requires more than half of the justices to support a particular outcome or opinion. It is necessary to have a majority in order to establish a binding decision for the Court.
Can Four or more justices must agree before an opinion becomes the Supreme Court's official decision?
5 or more :)
In what US court is a simple majority of the justices enough to render a Court opinion?
In the US Supreme Court.
What is the official decision of the US Supreme Court called?
The US Supreme Court decision is called the "opinion of the Court," which most often refers to the majority opinion (decision signed by the most justices) on a case. Sometimes, however, the "official decision" may be a "per curiam" ruling (issued unsigned) or a "plurality" (an opinion, often concurring in judgment, endorsed by more justices than the formal "opinion of the Court.").For more information, see Related Questions, below.
What are the steps in deciding major supreme court cases?
Someone petitions the Supreme Court to review a case on appealThe lawyers submit briefsThe justices vote to decide which cases to hearThe Clerk schedules oral argumentsThe justices read all briefs and lower court documentsThe justices have their clerks research precedents and other informationThe justices listen to oral argumentsThe justices hold a case conference to discuss issues and take a voteOne justice is assigned to write the official opinion of the CourtThe opinion is circulated for commentsOther justices write concurring or dissenting opinions (optional)The decision is released to the parties and the general public
