Legal Definitions - Memorandum Decision

A Memorandum Decision is a brief document issued by a court that states the outcome or result of a case or a specific legal motion, without providing a detailed explanation or the legal reasoning behind the court's conclusion.

Think of it as a concise announcement of the court's ruling. Unlike a full judicial opinion, which meticulously lays out the facts, the applicable law, and the court's analysis leading to its decision, a Memorandum Decision simply declares who won, what action is to be taken, or whether a request is granted or denied. These decisions are typically short, are not published in official legal reporters, and generally cannot be cited as binding precedent in future cases, meaning they don't set a legal standard that other courts must follow.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this concept:

• Small Claims Court Ruling: Imagine a dispute between two neighbors over property damage caused by a fallen tree. After hearing both sides, the judge issues a Memorandum Decision stating, "Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $1,500." This decision provides the final monetary award but does not explain the judge's reasoning, such as how the damages were calculated, which party was found negligent, or why specific evidence was given more weight. It simply delivers the final outcome.
• Appellate Court Dismissal: A defendant appeals a criminal conviction, arguing that certain evidence was improperly admitted. The appellate court reviews the procedural aspects of the appeal and finds that the appeal was filed past the legal deadline. The court then issues a Memorandum Decision stating, "The appeal is hereby dismissed." This decision communicates the dismissal of the appeal but does not elaborate on the specific legal rule regarding filing deadlines, the court's analysis of when the deadline expired, or why the defendant's reasons for the delay were insufficient. It only provides the final action taken.
• Administrative Agency Review: A citizen applies for a specific government permit, which is denied. The citizen appeals this denial to an administrative review board. After reviewing the case, the board issues a Memorandum Decision stating, "The appeal is denied, and the original decision to deny the permit is affirmed." This decision tells the citizen that their appeal was unsuccessful and the permit remains denied, but it does not detail the specific regulations the board applied, the evidence it considered, or its rationale for concluding that the citizen did not meet the permit requirements.