The state Supreme Court said Monday
it’s no longer going to issue unsigned opinions, a practice that increased
beginning in the 1970s.
Justices issued an opinion Monday in a Mercer County
Under new rules approved in the last
few years, the high court issues both memorandum decisions and signed opinions.
The memorandum decisions are usually short and to the point and tell why the
justices have or haven’t decided to take up a case. They are unsigned. Every
appeal receives a ruling and that process will continue.
In the past, the court has used a
method called per curiam decisions, or unsigned opinions, on certain cases,
especially opinions based on information that’s already in state law. Chief
Justice Robin Davis said Monday unsigned opinions are no longer necessary and
whether they are issuing opinions based on existing state law or making a new
point of law the opinions will be signed.
Chief Justice Davis said unsigned
opinions have been a “misused practice.”
In a separate issue, Tuesday will mark
a big day at the Supreme Court. Arguments are scheduled in a case filed by the
Kanawha County Republican executive committee and the West Virginia GOP over an
open ballot spot in the November general election.
The Republicans claim the state
Election Commission erred by allowing Del. Suzette Raines to withdraw her name
from the ballot while at the same time saying her reasons weren’t good enough
to replace her.
Arguments begin at 10 a.m.
