plain meaning rule (Minnesota) · Go Syfert
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plain meaning rule in Minnesota

17 Minnesota opinions name it 2 courts 1986–2016 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Minnesota 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 (14)

CaseFollowedCited
Wegener v. Commissioner of Revenuegreen
minn · 1993 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1999–2008
2 sentences

1999Although the plain-meaning rule is well established, “our inquiry does not end with the literal words of the statute.” Wegener v. Commissioner of Revenue, 505 N.W.2d 612, 614 (Minn.1993).

1999Although the plain-meaning rule is well established, "our inquiry does not end with the literal words of the statute." Wegener v. Commissioner of Revenue, 505 N.W.2d 612, 614 (Minn.1993).

22
Resident v. Nootgreen
minn · 1981 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
2 sentences

2006Id.; see also Resident v. Noot, 305 N.W.2d 311, 312 (Minn.1981) (stating that we do not defer to an agency's interpretation of its own rule when the language employed or the standards delineated are clear and capable of understanding).

2006Id.; see also Resident v. Noot, 305 N.W.2d 311, 312 (Minn.1981) (stating that we do not defer to an agency’s interpretation of its own rule when the language employed or the standards delineated are clear and capable of understanding).

22
Cable Communications Board v. Nor-West Cable Communications Partnershipgreen
minn · 1984 · cited in 2 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1986–1988
2 sentences

1988See Cable Communications Board v. Nor-West Cable Communications Partnership, 356 N.W.2d 658 (Minn.1984).

1986Cable Communications Board v. Nor-West Cable Communications Partnership, 356 N.W.2d 658, 667 (Minn.1984).

22
State v. Koeniggreen
minn · 2003 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016See State v, Schmid, 859 N.W.2d 816, 820 (Minn.2015) (“We do not turn to the common law definition of a word if the statute provides its own definition.”); State v. Koenig, 666 N.W.2d 366, 373 (Minn.2003) (“[U]nder a plain meaning analysis, we must éxamine the definition given by the statute for the term.... [W]e do not rely on [the dictionary] definition of [a word when] the statute provides a definition;”).

2016See State v. Schmid, 859 N.W.2d 816, 820 (Minn. 2015) (“We do not turn to the common law definition of a word if the statute provides its own definition.”); State v. Koenig, 666 N.W.2d 366, 373 (Minn. 2003) (“[U]nder a plain meaning analysis, we must examine the definition given by the statute for the term. . . . [W]e do not rely on [the dictionary] definition of [a word when] the statute provides a definition.”).

11
State v. Borggreen
minn · 2013 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
1 sentence

2016See State v. Borg, 834 N.W.2d 194, 197 (Minn.2013) (“When construing the procedural rules, we look to the plain language of the rule and its purpose.”).

11
State of Minnesota v. Roger Benedict Schmidgreen
minn · 2015 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016See State v, Schmid, 859 N.W.2d 816, 820 (Minn.2015) (“We do not turn to the common law definition of a word if the statute provides its own definition.”); State v. Koenig, 666 N.W.2d 366, 373 (Minn.2003) (“[U]nder a plain meaning analysis, we must éxamine the definition given by the statute for the term.... [W]e do not rely on [the dictionary] definition of [a word when] the statute provides a definition;”).

2016See State v. Schmid, 859 N.W.2d 816, 820 (Minn. 2015) (“We do not turn to the common law definition of a word if the statute provides its own definition.”); State v. Koenig, 666 N.W.2d 366, 373 (Minn. 2003) (“[U]nder a plain meaning analysis, we must examine the definition given by the statute for the term. . . . [W]e do not rely on [the dictionary] definition of [a word when] the statute provides a definition.”).

11
State v. Palmergreen
minnctapp · 2008 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014See State v. Palmer, 749 N.W.2d 830, 832 (Minn.App.2008).

11
In re Disciplinary Action Against Nathansongreen
minn · 2012 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2012–2012
2 sentences

2012Id.

2012See Nathanson, 812 N.W.2d at 77 (analyzing the language in Rule 8(a), RLPR, and explaining that the Director does not act upon his sole initiative when he acts “pursuant to a complaint”).

11
Prior Lake American v. Madergreen
minn · 2002 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2004–2004
1 sentence

2004See Prior Lake Am. v. Mader, 642 N.W.2d 729, 740 (Minn.2002) (allowing closure “when a public body seeks legal advice concerning litigation strategy”); see also Minneapolis Star & Tribune Co. v. Hous. & Redev.

11
State v. Collinsgreen
minnctapp · 1998 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Collins, 580 N.W.2d at 41-42 (applying plain-meaning rule in determining that statute was not ambiguous and rule of lenity did not, therefore; apply); Minn.Stat. § 645.08(1) (1998) (providing that words and phrases are to be construed “according to their common and approved usage”).

11
Winters v. City of Duluthgreen
minn · 1901 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
2 sentences

1999The Wegener court reminds us: “[C]anons of construction are not the masters of the courts, but merely their servants, to aid them in ascertaining the legislative intent; and when it is ascertained the statute must be so construed as to give effect to such intention, even if it seem[s] contrary to such rules and the strict letter of the statute.” Id. (first alteration in original) (quoting Winters v. City of Duluth, 82 Minn. 127, 129 , 84 N.W. 788, 789 (1901) (quotation omitted)).

1999The Wegener court reminds us: “[C]anons of construction are not the masters of the courts, but merely their servants, to aid them in ascertaining the legislative intent; and when it is ascertained the statute must be so construed as to give effect to such intention, even if it seem[s] contrary to such rules and the strict letter of the statute.” Id. (first alteration in original) (quoting Winters v. City of Duluth, 82 Minn. 127, 129 , 84 N.W. 788, 789 (1901) (quotation omitted)).

11
Art Goebel, Inc. v. North Suburban Agencies, Inc.green
minn · 1997 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
2 sentences

1999See Art Goebel, Inc. v. North Suburban Agencies, Inc., 567 N.W.2d 511, 515 (Minn.1997) (whether a phrase is ambiguous depends not upon phrase read in isolation, but rather upon the meaning assigned to the phrase in the document as a whole).

1999See Art Goebel, Inc. v. North Suburban Agencies, Inc., 567 N.W.2d 511, 515 (Minn.1997) (whether a phrase is ambiguous depends not upon phrase read in isolation, but rather upon the meaning assigned to the phrase in the document as a whole).

11
Mapleton Community Home, Inc. v. Minnesota Department of Human Servicesgreen
minn · 1986 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1998–1998
1 sentence

1998Mapleton Community Home, Inc. v. Minnesota Dep’t of Human Servs., 391 N.W.2d 798, 801 (Minn.1986).

11
White Bear Lake Care Center, Inc. v. Minnesota Department of Public Welfaregreen
minn · 1982 · cited in 1 Minnesota opinions naming this issue, 1988–1988
1 sentence

1988See White Bear Lake, 319 N.W.2d at 8 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Also cited on this issue (2)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Wotan green
mass · 1996
1 sentence

1998Defining “repeatedly” to mean “more than once” is reasonable under the plain meaning rule and in view of the word’s derivation from “repeat.” While “repeatedly” also is commonly used to mean “again and again,” see Wotan, 665 N.E.2d at 977 , such a definition provides insufficient guidance for a criminal statute.

11998–1998
United States v. American Trucking Associations green
scotus · 1940
2 sentences

1993United States v. American Trucking Ass’n, 310 U.S. 534 , 60 S.Ct. 1059 , 84 L.Ed. 1345 (1940).

1993United States v. American Trucking Ass’n, 310 U.S. 534 , 60 S.Ct. 1059 , 84 L.Ed. 1345 (1940).

11993–1993

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MN § Minn. Stat. § 645.16 (8) MN § Minn. Stat. § 14.69 (5) MN § Minn. Stat. § 645.08 (5) MN § Minn. Stat. § 645.17 (4) MN § Minn. Stat. § 14.05 (3) MN § Minn. Stat. § 256B.431 (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

NM 286 (1952–2026) MD 133 (1907–2023) CA 121 (1932–2026) WA 112 (1990–2025) TX 103 (1973–2026) CT 92 (1986–2025) WI 81 (1968–2025) SC 71 (1997–2026) FL 38 (1981–2025) AK 36 (1980–2024) MI 34 (1981–2024) IL 31 (1984–2025) VT 31 (1980–2026) VA 25 (1989–2025) NV 24 (1986–2019) AZ 23 (1976–2025) UT 22 (1990–2024) AL 18 (2001–2018) NY 17 (1977–2015) MN 17 (1986–2016) PA 16 (1982–2026) DC 16 (1977–2024) HI 15 (1983–2023) NC 13 (2005–2026) KY 12 (2005–2025) CO 12 (1995–2026) OH 11 (1984–2021) MS 10 (2001–2018) IA 10 (1986–2020) NH 9 (1978–2013) DE 8 (1994–2017) MO 8 (1979–2022) ME 7 (1991–2013) NJ 6 (1961–2021) MA 6 (1986–2013) WY 6 (1991–2007) RI 6 (2005–2017) TN 5 (1992–2019) AR 5 (1996–2006) KS 4 (1994–2014) ID 4 (1990–2022) IN 4 (1992–2023) OK 4 (1973–2013) MT 4 (1985–1995) VI 3 (2008–2025) NE 3 (1986–2025) SD 2 (2000–2025) WV 2 (2014–2014)

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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