Final answer:
Boards such as boards of zoning appeals typically allow for their decisions to be reviewed by courts, but the United States Supreme Court has the authority to issue final decisions that are not subject to rehearing with their rulings setting legal precedents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can the board ever issue a final decision without the opportunity for rehearing or review? In general, boards, such as boards of zoning appeals, which serve as quasi-judicial bodies, conduct hearings that allow for sworn testimony and their decisions are often subject to court review. However, when it comes to the United States Supreme Court, they possess the authority to issue final decisions that may not be subject to rehearing. Most appeals come to the Supreme Court via a writ of certiorari, but the Court's decision is final and sets a precedent for future cases.
The Supreme Court's ruling is affected by factors such as conflicts among lower courts or significant legal questions, as outlined in the Court's Rule 10. Furthermore, the principle of stare decisis plays a critical role in how cases are decided, with the court following precedent unless compelling reasons compel a different ruling. A good example of the flexibility within the legal system in changing interpretations is the shift from Plessey v. Ferguson to Brown v. Board of Education.
It is important to note that despite the flexibility for change within the judicial system, the Supreme Court's opinions are final, barring any rehearing, and establish precedent. Hence, it is in these highest-level decisions that the Court indeed can and does issue final decisions without opportunity for rehearing or review.