Understanding Dicta in Law: What You Need to Know

In law, a dictum (plural: dicta) is a statement or opinion made by a judge or other legal authority that is not binding precedent, but may be persuasive or influential in future cases.

In other words, a dictum is an observation or comment made by a judge during the course of a legal proceeding that is not necessary to the decision in the case, but may provide insight into the judge's thinking or perspective on the law. Dicta are often found in judicial opinions, and they can be useful for understanding the judge's reasoning and approach to the law.

It's important to note that dicta are not binding precedent, which means that they do not have to be followed by other courts in future cases. However, dicta can still be influential and may be cited by other judges or legal authorities as persuasive authority in support of their own decisions.