basis of cumulative error (Michigan) · Go Syfert
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basis of cumulative error in Michigan

28 Michigan opinions name it 1 courts 2003–2026 19 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Michigan 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 (6)

CaseFollowedCited
People v. LeBlancgreen
mich · 2002 · cited in 6 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2017–2025
2 sentences

2025See People v LeBlanc, 465 Mich 575, 591-592 ; 640 NW2d 246 (2002).

2025See People v LeBlanc, 465 Mich 575, 591-592 ; 640 NW2d 246 (2002).

56
People v. Dobekgreen
michctapp · 2007 · cited in 6 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2019–2026
2 sentences

2026CUMULATIVE ERROR Defendant also argues that reversal is required based on cumulative error. “[T]he cumulative effect of several minor errors may warrant reversal where the individual errors would not.” Unger, 278 Mich App at 261 (quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]n order to reverse on the basis of cumulative error, the effect of the errors must [be] seriously prejudicial in order to warrant a finding that defendant was denied a fair trial.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted; second alteration in original). “[T]he cumulative effect of the errors must undermine the confidence in

2024This case is analogous to Dobek, which held that reversal on the basis of cumulative error was unwarranted when the only errors found were minor instances of prosecutorial misconduct. -7- Dobek, 274 Mich App at 107 .

36
People v. Gainesgreen
michctapp · 2014 · cited in 3 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2022–2024
2 sentences

2024“The cumulative effect of several errors can constitute sufficient prejudice to warrant reversal even when any one of the errors alone would not merit reversal, but the cumulative effect of the errors must undermine the confidence in the reliability of the verdict before a new trial is granted.” People v Lowrey, 342 Mich App 99 , 119; 993 NW2d 62 (2022) (quotation marks and citation omitted). “[O]nly actual errors are aggregated when reviewing a cumulative-error argument.” People v Gaines, 306 Mich App 289, 310 ; 856 NW2d 222 (2014) (quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]n order to revers

2023See Gaines, 306 Mich App at 322 .

23
People v. Ungergreen
michctapp · 2008 · cited in 2 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2024–2026
2 sentences

2026CUMULATIVE ERROR Defendant also argues that reversal is required based on cumulative error. “[T]he cumulative effect of several minor errors may warrant reversal where the individual errors would not.” Unger, 278 Mich App at 261 (quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]n order to reverse on the basis of cumulative error, the effect of the errors must [be] seriously prejudicial in order to warrant a finding that defendant was denied a fair trial.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted; second alteration in original). “[T]he cumulative effect of the errors must undermine the confidence in

2026CUMULATIVE ERROR Defendant also argues that reversal is required based on cumulative error. “[T]he cumulative effect of several minor errors may warrant reversal where the individual errors would not.” Unger, 278 Mich App at 261 (quotation marks and citation omitted). “[I]n order to reverse on the basis of cumulative error, the effect of the errors must [be] seriously prejudicial in order to warrant a finding that defendant was denied a fair trial.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted; second alteration in original). “[T]he cumulative effect of the errors must undermine the confidence in

22
People v. Knappgreen
michctapp · 2001 · cited in 5 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2003–2026
2 sentences

2026For this Court to reverse a defendant’s convictions on the basis of cumulative error, “the errors at issue must be of consequence.” Id.

2024To warrant finding that a defendant was denied a fair trial on the basis of cumulative error, “the effect of the errors must have been seriously prejudicial.” People v Knapp, 244 Mich App 361, 388 ; 624 NW2d 227 (2001).

15
People v. McLaughlingreen
michctapp · 2003 · cited in 1 Michigan opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See McLaughlin, 258 Mich App at 649 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Also cited on this issue (5)

CaseCitedYears
People v. Ackerman green
michctapp · 2003
2 sentences

2026However, in order to reverse on the basis of cumulative error, the effect of the errors must [be] seriously prejudicial in order to warrant a finding that defendant was denied a fair trial.” People v Ackerman, 257 Mich App 434, 454 ; 669 NW2d 818 (2003) (quotation marks and citations omitted; alteration in original).

2026However, in order to reverse on the basis of cumulative error, the effect of the errors must [be] seriously prejudicial in order to warrant a finding that defendant was denied a fair trial.” People v Ackerman, 257 Mich App 434, 454 ; 669 NW2d 818 (2003) (quotation marks and citations omitted; alteration in original).

42008–2026
People v. Cooper green
michctapp · 1999
2 sentences

2025However, if “the areas in which there were errors or arguable errors related to defendant’s trial were of little consequence,” then reversal “is not warranted on the basis of cumulative error.” People v Cooper, 236 Mich App 643, 660 ; 601 NW2d 409 (1999).

2025However, if “the areas in which there were errors or arguable errors related to defendant’s trial were of little consequence,” then reversal “is not warranted on the basis of cumulative error.” People v Cooper, 236 Mich App 643, 660 ; 601 NW2d 409 (1999).

12025–2025
People v. Armstrong green
mich · 2011
1 sentence

2024Armstrong, 490 Mich at 289-290 .2 2 Given our resolution, we need not address Shannon’s argument that he is entitled to reversal on the basis of cumulative error.

12024–2024
People v. Anderson green
michctapp · 1988
2 sentences

2015“Although one error in a case may not necessarily provide a basis for reversal, it is possible that the cumulative effect of a number of minor errors may add up to error requiring reversal.” People v Anderson, 166 Mich App 455, 472-473 ; 421 NW2d 200 (1988).

2015“Although one error in a case may not necessarily provide a basis for reversal, it is possible that the cumulative effect of a number of minor errors may add up to error requiring reversal.” People v Anderson, 166 Mich App 455, 472-473 ; 421 NW2d 200 (1988).

12015–2015
People v. Mayhew green
michctapp · 1999
2 sentences

2007People v Mayhew, 236 Mich App 112, 128 ; 600 NW2d 370 (1999). *107 Reversal on the basis of cumulative error is unwarranted because the cumulative effect of the fairly minor instances of prosecutorial misconduct, which were the only errors this panel found, did not deny defendant a fair trial.

2007People v Mayhew, 236 Mich App 112, 128 ; 600 NW2d 370 (1999). *107 Reversal on the basis of cumulative error is unwarranted because the cumulative effect of the fairly minor instances of prosecutorial misconduct, which were the only errors this panel found, did not deny defendant a fair trial.

12007–2007

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520b (9) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 769.12 (6) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.227b (5) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.316 (5) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 769.26 (5) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.721 (4) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.722 (4) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520a (4) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520c (4) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 768.27a (4) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520j (3) MI § Mich. Comp. Laws § 767.40a (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

MI 28 (2003–2026) IL 16 (2001–2025) KY 8 (2013–2026) UT 4 (2009–2018) FL 3 (2006–2009) AZ 3 (2016–2017) MS 3 (2007–2016) OH 2 (2002–2011) CA 2 (2025–2025) TN 2 (2019–2019) TX 2 (2024–2024)

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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