The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and is part of the judicial branch of the government. The justices -- one Chief Justice and eight Associates -- hear cases brought from lower federal or state courts and issue decisions.
The majority opinion explains the decision joined by a majority of the justices.
The concurring opinion agrees with the majority, but is written by one justice to reflect a disagreement with parts of the opinion or with a different view of the reasoning. Other justices who agree with the concurring opinion can sign it.
The dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion. Although written by one justice, others who agree can sign it.
The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States
