Which opinion has the greatest precedential value?

• A. Dissent.
• B. Plurality.
• C. Concurrence.
• D. Majority opinion.

Answer: (D)

Precedential value is determined by which opinion the court adopts as the controlling reasoning for its decision. The majority opinion has the greatest precedential value because it represents the view of the largest number of justices and thus sets the binding rule that will govern future cases. It commands the court’s official ruling and reasoning, so lower courts must follow it.

A concurrence may agree with the outcome but offers its own reasoning or emphasizes different points; it is persuasive but not binding beyond its particular rationale. A dissent disagrees with the court’s ruling and is not binding at all, though it may influence future thinking. A plurality occurs when no single opinion garners a majority for any one rationale, making its precedential value weaker and less clear because there isn’t a single controlling reasoning to apply.