constitutional avoidance doctrine (New Jersey) · Go Syfert
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constitutional avoidance doctrine in New Jersey

5 New Jersey opinions name it 2 courts 2021–2025 5 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by New Jersey courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (3)

CaseFollowedCited
State v. David Pomianek, Jr. (072293)green
nj · 2015 · cited in 4 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2021–2025
2 sentences

2025Super. 272 , 288 (App. Div. 2022) (holding that "under the doctrine of constitutional avoidance, 'when a statute is susceptible to two reasonable interpretations, one constitutional and one not, ' courts assume the Legislature would want the courts to construe it 'in a way that conforms to the Constitution.'" (quoting State v. Pomianek, 221 N.J. 66, 90-91 (2015))).

2021See State v. Pomianek, 221 N.J. 66, 90-91 (2015) (discussing the doctrine of constitutional avoidance).

44
Committee to Recall Menendez v. Wellsgreen
nj · 2010 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023As a general proposition, under the doctrine of constitutional avoidance, courts "strive to avoid reaching constitutional questions unless required to do so." Comm. to Recall Robert Menendez from the Off. of U.S. Senator v. Wells, 204 N.J. 79, 95 (2010).

11
Marjarum v. Township of Hamiltongreen
njsuperctappdiv · 2000 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023Relatedly, "as a matter of judicial restraint, 'courts should not decide cases where a judgment cannot grant relief.'" Marjarum v. Twp. of Hamilton, 336 N.J.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in New Jersey. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Where else courts name it

CA 19 (2014–2026) IA 16 (2012–2026) CO 12 (2007–2025) UT 11 (2014–2023) OH 9 (2022–2026) MD 9 (2010–2026) VA 7 (2013–2026) DC 6 (2008–2026) NJ 5 (2021–2025) ID 5 (2017–2023) KS 5 (2004–2022) PA 4 (2017–2024) TX 4 (2024–2025) WI 3 (2021–2023) WA 3 (2015–2015) CT 3 (2016–2021) NY 3 (2007–2026) MI 2 (2007–2015) KY 2 (2023–2024) OR 2 (2018–2022) GA 2 (2025–2025) RI 2 (2013–2015) AZ 2 (2014–2019) AK 2 (2019–2019)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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