You could have a legal decision without an explanation, but the explanations are important because they become part of legal precedent and can be cited in future legal arguments.
The nine Justices hear cases and deliver rulings and opinions on them. One or more Justice will write a dissenting opinion if they disagree with the ruling.
The opinions are given to the Reporter of Decisions to prepare a bench opinion for public release, and announced and/or read in open court. Within a few hours of the announcement, the bench opinions are published online and in booklet form as slip opinions.
chief justice
Justices write opinions after the verdict has been determined, not before public arguments.
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
It is my understanding that Justice John Paul Stevens writes the first draft of all of his opinions, but that the others rely on assistance from their law clerks to varying degrees. There is probably no definitive answer to this question.
There is time allotted for writing opinions during the two-week period following a sitting for oral arguments, and after all case arguments are completed in April of the current Term. Justices may write anytime they choose, however. First, the justices meet in a closed conference to discuss the case and take a preliminary vote. They may then attempt to persuade other justices to their point-of-view before taking a final vote. After the final vote, the Senior member of the majority (the Chief Justice is always most senior) assigns writing the opinion of the Court to one of the justices in the majority. Often, the justice who was least persuaded to the majority perspective is given the task; other times, the opinion is assigned to a justice with particular expertise in the subject matter; or the Chief Justice or Senior Associate may choose to write the opinion him/herself. Those in the minority decide amongst themselves who will write opinions. Any justice may write a concurring or dissenting opinion, or may join one written by another justice.
There is time allotted for writing opinions during the two-week period following a sitting for oral arguments, and after all case arguments are completed in April of the current Term. Justices may write anytime they choose, however. First, the justices meet in a closed conference to discuss the case and take a preliminary vote. They may then attempt to persuade other justices to their point-of-view before taking a final vote. After the final vote, the Senior member of the majority (the Chief Justice is always most senior) assigns writing the opinion of the Court to one of the justices in the majority. Often, the justice who was least persuaded to the majority perspective is given the task; other times, the opinion is assigned to a justice with particular expertise in the subject matter; or the Chief Justice or Senior Associate may choose to write the opinion him/herself. Those in the minority decide amongst themselves who will write opinions. Any justice may write a concurring or dissenting opinion, or may join one written by another justice.
The opinion of the Court may be unanimous; however, individual justices may also write concurring opinions. Alternately, all members of the Court may agree on a decision but not be willing to sign the opinion to prevent it from being cited as precedent in future cases, in which case they would write a per curiam opinion.
You could have a legal decision without an explanation, but the explanations are important because they become part of legal precedent and can be cited in future legal arguments.
After all th opinions have been written and finalized, the justices announced their final decisions. The decisions are from the majority vote of the justices
Sharing opinions- Apex