judicial decisions
Verdicts from judges
Judicial decisions are rulings issued by courts that resolve legal disputes and interpret law.
A judge's written opinion explains the reasoning behind the decision.
In common law systems, judicial decisions establish precedent—prior rulings that guide future cases: The Supreme Court's judicial decisions on civil rights transformed American society.
Lower courts are bound by decisions from higher courts in their jurisdiction.
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- appealFormal review request
- court of appealsTribunal reviewing lower rulings
- court systemNetwork of tribunals
- written opinionExpressed view in text
litigation · adjudication · case law · landmark · landmark ruling · opinion · holdings · appellate courts · trial court · constitutional law · dissenting opinion · overturned · verdict · decree · ruling · due process · chambers · equity
- lawslaws, statute, ordinance, acts, statutes
- legal systemsconstitutional law, criminal code, court system, penal code, laws
- church-statechurch-state, separation, church-state separation, establishment clause, religious accommodation
- court recordscourt documents, court transcripts, court records, court cases, court record
- legal recordscourt orders, court decisions, court filings, court rolls, court reports
- case lawcourt opinions, court cases, court decisions, binding precedent, landmark case
judicial decisionslegislation
Official enactment of statutes
statutory law · statutes · legislative acts · executive orders · enacted laws
judicial decisionsvigilante justice
Unauthorized punishment by civilians
mob justice · plea bargains · consent decrees · mob rule · unilateral action