Also known as: ops · opinion · op. cit.
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A court's written explanation of the reasons for its decision.
A formal legal view or assessment, including expert or character testimony offered in court.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
A court's written explanation of the reasons for its decision.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A formal legal view or assessment, including expert or character testimony offered in court.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Orla O'Malley and other parents challenge racial segregation in public schools. The court issues a unanimous opinion declaring that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal and orders desegregation with all deliberate speed.
Oskar Ocampo, special prosecutor, seeks presidential tapes for a criminal trial. The court issues an opinion rejecting absolute privilege and ordering production because the need for evidence in a criminal case outweighs generalized confidentiality interests.
Owen Ortega challenges a state criminal abortion statute. The court issues an opinion recognizing a constitutional right to privacy that encompasses a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy before viability, striking down the statute as unconstitutional.
The abbreviation op stands for opinion and is used to refer to a court's written explanation of its decision or to a formal legal view.
Supporting sources
Odilia Okamura faces trial on assault charges. The defense calls a witness who testifies that Odilia has a reputation for peacefulness in her community. On cross-examination the prosecutor inquires into a specific prior incident in which Odilia shoved a neighbor during an argument.
Otto Osman sues a chemical manufacturer after developing respiratory illness. His expert links the illness to workplace exposure using animal studies and general causation data. The trial court excludes the testimony because the expert fails to bridge the gap between the studies and the plaintiff's specific condition.
Oscar Ortiz buys a used car from a dealer after the seller states the vehicle is in excellent condition. Oscar later discovers hidden frame damage. Because the seller held himself out as a disinterested expert mechanic, Oscar's reliance on the opinion supports his fraud claim.
When character evidence is admissible, it may be introduced through reputation or opinion testimony. On cross-examination the court may permit inquiry into specific instances of conduct.
Appellate courts review a trial court's exclusion of expert testimony for abuse of discretion. A court may reject an opinion when there is too great an analytical gap between the data and the expert's conclusion.
Reliance is justified when the opinion comes from a person the recipient reasonably believes is disinterested and the fact that the person holds the opinion is material.
Marbury v. Madison <!-- acedexams opinion md v1 -- Case information - Court: Supreme Court of the United States - Decided: February 24, 1803 - Judges: Chief Justice Marshall Syllabus The Supreme Court of the…