A decision made by a judge or a group of judges that resolves a legal dispute and sets a precedent for future cases. Court rulings can interpret constitutional amendments and laws, and they also play a role in shaping legal principles and rights. For example, court rulings can influence the interpretation of the Second Amendment, including individual gun ownership and state regulations.
The court’s written explanation of its judgment in a case. Justices in appellate courts often write separate opinions that explain their reasoning and conclusions, but only the majority opinion can serve as binding precedent in future cases. Justices who disagree with the majority’s decision may write a dissenting opinion that offers additional comment or clarification or a different reason for reaching the same result.
Usually, a person is found guilty of a crime only if the jury finds that the evidence presented at trial is sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the judge may decide that the evidence is not sufficient to convict a person, or that the defendant did not commit the crime. This is called a not-guilty verdict.
A court-imposed condition that requires a criminal conviction to be served concurrently with a sentence imposed for another crime. Concurrent sentences are typically shorter than consecutive sentences and can be applied to both felony and misdemeanor convictions. A legal claim that a plaintiff places on specific property to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. A lien is sometimes used to secure the repayment of a bankruptcy discharged debt.
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