Generic Case Brief

JONES V. SMITH (1986) U.S. Supreme Court

“Score”—vote of the justices:  5-4

Majority opinion author:  Justice James

Facts:  brief summary of specific events leading to case

Issue:  question that is the focus of the case that links the facts to the part of the Constitution being interpreted

Holding:  rule of the case that answers the question—written out as a rule, not just “yes” or “no”

Reasoning:  reasons for decisions

Concurring opinion(s):  author and reasoning

Dissenting opinion(s):  author and reasoning