Charles, The opinion was rendered Per Curiam which is...
Per Curiam
A "per curiam" decision is a decision delivered via an opinion issued in the name of the Court
rather than specific justices. Most decisions on the merits by the Supreme Court (and other
appellate courts in the U.S.) take the form of one or more opinions signed by individual justices
(and joined in by others). Even when such signed opinions are unanimous, they are not termed
"per curiam." "Per curiam" decisions are given that label by the Court itself and tend to be
short. Usually, though not always, they deal with issues the Court views as relatively
non-controversial. For examples, see, e.g.,Wood v. Bartholomew, No. 94-1419 (Oct. 10, 1995)
and Kimberlin v. Quinlin, No. 93-2068 (June 12, 1995) . However, they are not necessarily
unanimous. Indeed, some per curiam decisions are accompanied by dissenting opinions. See,
e.g., Purkett v. Elem, No. 94-802 (May 15, 1995). |
