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

12 Kentucky opinions name it 2 courts 2005–2025 4 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Kentucky 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 (7)

CaseFollowedCited
Executive Branch Ethics Commission v. Stephensgreen
ky · 2002 · cited in 7 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2005–2024
2 sentences

2024We adhere to the plain-meaning rule “unless to do so would constitute an absurd result.” Executive Branch Ethics Commission v. Stephens, 92 S.W.3d 69, 73 (Ky. 2002).

2024Kentucky courts steadfastly adhere to the plain-meaning rule “unless to do so would constitute an absurd result.” Executive Branch Ethics Commission v. Stephens, 92 S.W.3d 69, 73 (Ky. 2002).

67
Wheeler & Clevenger Oil Co. v. Washburngreen
ky · 2004 · cited in 4 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2007–2017
2 sentences

2017"The plain-meaning rule is consistent with directions provided by the legislature on how to interpret the statutes enacted by it." Wheeler & Clevenger Oil Co., Inc. v. Washburn, 127 S.W.3d 609, 614 (Ky. 2004) -(citing KRS 446.015; KRS 446.080(4)).

2017“The plain-meaning rule is consistent with directions provided by the legislature on how to interpret the statutes enacted by it.” Wheeler & Clevenger Oil Co., Inc. v. Washburn, 127 S.W.3d 609, 614 (Ky. 2004) (citing KRS 446.015; KRS 446.080(4)).

44
Shawnee Telecom Resources, Inc. v. Browngreen
ky · 2011 · cited in 2 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017"Only if the statute is ambiguous or otherwise frustrates a plain reading, do we resort to extrinsic aids such as the statute's legislative. history; the canons of construction; or, especially in the case of model or uniform statutes, interpretations by other courts." Stinson, 5 396 S.W.3d at 903 (citing Shawnee Telecom Res., Inc. v. Brown, 354 S.W.3d 542, 551 (Ky. 2011)).

2017“Only if the statute is ambiguous or otherwise frustrates a plain reading, do we resort to extrinsic aids such as the statute’s legislative history; the canons of construction; or, especially in the ease of model or uniform statutes, interpretations by other courts.” Stinson, 396 S.W.3d at 903 (citing Shawnee Telecom Res., Inc. v. Brown, 354 S.W.3d 542, 551 (Ky. 2011)).

22
Revenue Cabinet v. O'DANIELgreen
ky · 2005 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025Revenue Cabinet v. O’Daniel, 153 S.W.3d 815, 819 (Ky. 2005).

11
Richardson v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Governmentgreen
ky · 2008 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023Metro Gov’t, 260 S.W.3d 777, 779 (Ky. 2008)). -7- Most significantly, “when the statute [or regulation] is unambiguous, courts are not free to insert words or add a provision even if it may be just or desirable to do so.” Id. (citations omitted).

2023Metro Gov’t, 260 S.W.3d 777, 779 (Ky. 2008)). -7- Most significantly, “when the statute [or regulation] is unambiguous, courts are not free to insert words or add a provision even if it may be just or desirable to do so.” Id. (citations omitted).

11
Alliance for Kentucky's Future, Inc. v. Environmental & Public Protection Cabinetgreen
kyctapp · 2009 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
1 sentence

2015Moreover, Kentucky courts have steadfastly adhered to the plain-meaning rule ‘unless to do. so would constitute an absurd result.’ ” Alliance for Kentucky’s Future, Inc. v. Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, 310 S.W.3d 681, 687 (Ky.App.2008) (quoting Executive Branch Ethics Commission v. Stephens, 92 S.W.3d 69, 73 (Ky.2002)).

11
Crenshaw v. Weinberggreen
ky · 1991 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
2 sentences

2005KRS 446.080(4); Crenshaw v. Weinberg, 805 S.W.2d 129, 133 (Ky.1991).

2005KRS 446.080(4); Crenshaw v. Weinberg, 805 S.W.2d 129, 133 (Ky.1991).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Also cited on this issue (1)

CaseCitedYears
Stinson v. Commonwealth green
ky · 2013
2 sentences

2017"Only if the statute is ambiguous or otherwise frustrates a plain reading, do we resort to extrinsic aids such as the statute's legislative. history; the canons of construction; or, especially in the case of model or uniform statutes, interpretations by other courts." Stinson, 5 396 S.W.3d at 903 (citing Shawnee Telecom Res., Inc. v. Brown, 354 S.W.3d 542, 551 (Ky. 2011)).

2017“Only if the statute is ambiguous or otherwise frustrates a plain reading, do we resort to extrinsic aids such as the statute’s legislative history; the canons of construction; or, especially in the ease of model or uniform statutes, interpretations by other courts.” Stinson, 396 S.W.3d at 903 (citing Shawnee Telecom Res., Inc. v. Brown, 354 S.W.3d 542, 551 (Ky. 2011)).

22017–2017

Statutes the citing opinions construe

KY § Ky. Rev. Stat. § 446.080 (4) KY § Ky. Rev. Stat. § 446.015 (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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