Cite as: 511 U. S. 79 (1994)
Thomas, J., dissenting
parties, and in cases where there is a real and embarrassing conflict of opinion and authority between the circuit courts of appeal." Layne & Bowler Corp. v. Western Well Works, Inc., 261 U. S. 387, 393 (1923). We make poor use of judicial resources when, as here, we take a case merely to reaffirm (without revisiting) settled law. See generally Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U. S. 97, 115 (1976) (Stevens, J., dissenting); United States v. Shannon, 342 U. S. 288, 294-295 (1952) (opinion of Frankfurter, J.).
Now that we have invested time and resources in full briefing and oral argument, however, we must decide how properly to dispose of the case. The Court vacates and remands because the Nevada Supreme Court erred, not in its judgment, but rather in its "prospectivity declaration." Ante, at 83. The "declaration" to which the Court refers is the state court's statement that our decision in County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U. S. 44 (1991), does "not apply retroactively." 108 Nev. 700, 705, n. 1, 838 P. 2d 921, 924, n. 1 (1992). The Court correctly rules that McLaughlin does apply retroactively. See Griffith, supra. Rather than remanding, I believe that the Court in this instance can and should definitively resolve the case before us: "Our job . . . is to review judgments, not to edit opinions . . . ." Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts, 472 U. S. 797, 823 (1985) (Stevens, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). See also
K mart Corp. v. Cartier, Inc., 485 U. S. 176, 185 (1988); Black v. Cutter Laboratories, 351 U. S. 292, 297 (1956).
Of course, when there is a need for further factfinding or
for proceedings best conducted in the lower courts, or where the ultimate question to be decided depends on debatable points of law that have not been briefed or argued, we regularly determine that the best course is to remand. See, e. g., Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U. S. 552, 574 (1988) (vacating award of attorney's fees and remanding for recalculation of fee award). Those concerns, however, do not require a remand in this case. In defense of the judgment below, re-
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