one another, and a judge may want to issue a written opinion stating why he or she has a different opinion 
than the one expressed in the majority opinion. If a particular judge agrees with the result reached in the 
majority opinion but not the reasoning, he or she may write a separate concurring opinion. If a judge 
disagrees with the result and votes against the majority’s decision, he or she will write a dissenting opinion. 
Sometimes opinions are unsigned, and these are referred to as per curium opinions. Finally, if not enough 
justices agree on the result for the same reason, a plurality opinion will be written. A plurality opinion 
controls only the case currently being decided by the court and does not establish a precedent which judges 
in later similar cases must follow. 
Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System
283