Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "dissenting opinion" refers to a written opinion by a judge or justice who disagrees with the majority decision in a court case. Dissenting opinions serve to express alternative perspectives and highlight disagreements with the majority's legal reasoning or conclusions.
Some examples are down below:
1. Supreme Court Case: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
- In this case, the majority opinion held that restrictions on corporate spending in elections violated the First Amendment. However, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote a strong dissent, arguing that the majority's decision would undermine the integrity of the democratic process and allow unlimited corporate influence in elections.
2. Supreme Court Case: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
- The majority opinion in this landmark case held that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a fiery dissent, criticizing the majority for judicial activism and arguing that the issue should be decided by the democratic process rather than the courts.
These examples highlight how dissenting opinions provide alternative perspectives, challenge prevailing legal norms, and contribute to the ongoing development of the law. Dissenting opinions can shape public debate, influence future court decisions, and provide a record of the legal reasoning behind alternative viewpoints.
Hope this helps.