absurdity doctrine (Indiana) · Go Syfert
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absurdity doctrine in Indiana

8 Indiana opinions name it 2 courts 2017–2026 3 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Indiana 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
In re Saargreen
· 2018 · cited in 5 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2020–2026
2 sentences

2026Indeed, “the absurdity doctrine [is] ‘strong medicine’ that ‘defeats even the plain meaning of statutes.’” R.R. v. State, 106 N.E.3d 1037, 1042 (Ind. 2018) (quoting Calvin v. State, 87 N.E.3d 474, 477 (Ind. 2017)).

2025See R.R. v. State, 106 N.E.3d 1037, 1042 (Ind. 2018) (explaining that the absurdity doctrine applies only when a contrary reading “truly is absurd, and not merely unwise or unsound”).

55
Darryl Calvin v. State of Indianagreen
ind · 2017 · cited in 4 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2018–2026
2 sentences

2026Indeed, “the absurdity doctrine [is] ‘strong medicine’ that ‘defeats even the plain meaning of statutes.’” R.R. v. State, 106 N.E.3d 1037, 1042 (Ind. 2018) (quoting Calvin v. State, 87 N.E.3d 474, 477 (Ind. 2017)).

2018The Indiana Supreme Court recently examined the absurdity doctrine in Calvin v. State , 87 N.E.3d 474 (Ind. 2017).

34
Bond v. Stategreen
ind · 1987 · cited in 1 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017See Bond v. State, 515 N.E.2d 856, 858 (Ind. 1987) (“[Criminal statutes] may not be enlarged beyond the fair meaning of the language used and may not be held to include offenses other than those clearly defined.”).

2017See Bond v. State, 515 N.E.2d 856, 858 (Ind. 1987) (“[Criminal statutes] may not be enlarged beyond the fair meaning of the language used and may not be held to include offenses other than those •clearly defined.”).

11
Storms v. Stevensgreen
ind · 1885 · cited in 1 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017Morgan v. State, 22 N.E.3d 570, 575 (Ind. 2014) (citing Storms v. Stevens, 104 Ind. 46, 50 , 3 N.E. 401, 403 (1885)).

2017Morgan v. State, 22 N.E.3d 570, 575 (Ind. 2014) (citing Storms v. Stevens, 104 Ind. 46, 50 , 3 N.E. 401, 403 (1885)).

11
State v. Brunergreen
ind · 1893 · cited in 1 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017See State v. Bruner, 135 Ind. 419, 422-23 , 35 N.E. 22, 23-24 (1893).

2017See State v. Bruner, 135 Ind. 419, 422-23 , 35 N.E. 22, 23-24 (1893).

11
Coleman v. Stategreen
ind · 1970 · cited in 1 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017See, e.g., Morgan, 22 N.E.3d at 576 ; Coleman v. State, 253 Ind. 627, 632-33 , 256 N.E.2d 389, 391 (1970); Helms v. Am.

2017See, e.g., Morgan, 22 N.E.3d at 576 ; Coleman v. State, 253 Ind. 627, 632-33 , 256 N.E.2d 389, 391 (1970); Helms v. Am.

11
Rodregus Morgan v. State of Indianagreen
ind · 2014 · cited in 1 Indiana opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
2 sentences

2017Morgan v. State, 22 N.E.3d 570, 575 (Ind. 2014) (citing Storms v. Stevens, 104 Ind. 46, 50 , 3 N.E. 401, 403 (1885)).

2017See, e.g., Morgan, 22 N.E.3d at 576 ; Coleman v. State, 253 Ind. 627, 632-33 , 256 N.E.2d 389, 391 (1970); Helms v. Am.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Where else courts name it

UT 26 (2011–2026) CA 25 (1975–2024) FL 17 (2006–2025) TX 14 (1967–2025) IA 10 (1872–2025) IN 8 (2017–2026) OH 7 (2017–2022) MN 6 (2005–2026) WI 5 (1975–2022) KY 3 (2013–2025) DE 3 (2007–2025) GA 3 (2016–2023) NY 3 (1935–2015) AZ 3 (1969–2025) NM 3 (2024–2024) CT 3 (1991–2025) WY 2 (1948–2020) NC 2 (2018–2019) AR 2 (1997–2025) OR 2 (1915–1974) IL 2 (2013–2020)

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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