What is a Depublished Opinion and Its Impact on Legal Precedents?

Definition & Meaning

Depublished opinion refers to a legal opinion issued by an intermediate appellate court that has been removed from official publication. This action is typically taken by the highest court, which may decide that the opinion should not be available for citation or reference in future cases. Depublication serves to limit the legal precedents that can be established by certain appellate decisions.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

(hypothetical example) A California appellate court issues a decision in a civil case. After the decision is finalized, a party involved submits a request to the California Supreme Court to depublish the opinion, arguing that it does not contribute to legal precedent. The Supreme Court reviews the request and decides to depublish the opinion, meaning it cannot be cited in future cases.

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition
Published Opinion An opinion that is officially recorded and can be cited as precedent.
Unpublished Opinion An opinion that is not published in official reports but may still have persuasive value.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe that a court opinion should be depublished, consider submitting a request to the appropriate highest court, ensuring you meet the specified requirements and deadlines. You may also explore US Legal Forms for templates that can assist you in preparing your request. If the situation is complex, consulting with a legal professional is advisable.

Quick facts

  • Request must be made within 30 days of the final decision.
  • Responses allowed within 10 days of receiving the request.
  • Depublication does not imply a judgment on the correctness of the opinion.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

A depublished opinion is a court ruling that has been removed from official reports and cannot be cited as precedent.