The doctrines Arkansas courts name when they cite: mined from the sentence each citation lives in, keyed on the citing court, counted by distinct opinions. Entry by issue, not by case: pick one to see the cases on each side.
| # | Issue | Most-cited case | Opinions | Courts | Years | Last 5y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | abuse of discretion standard | Grant v. State | 434 | 2 | 1989–2026 | 118 |
| 2 | fundamental error | Roberts v. State | 430 | 3 | 1899–2026 | 48 |
| 3 | directed verdict challenge | Matthew Armstrong v. State of Arkansas | 386 | 2 | 1969–2026 | 65 |
| 4 | petition for writ error | Newman v. State | 316 | 2 | 1954–2026 | 44 |
| 5 | affirmative defense | Walther v. FLIS Enters., Inc. | 262 | 3 | 1919–2026 | 27 |
| 6 | due process clause | Withrow v. Larkin | 227 | 3 | 1907–2026 | 17 |
| 7 | Brady violation | Strickler v. Greene | 192 | 2 | 1986–2025 | 23 |
| 8 | Miranda warning | Miranda v. Arizona | 184 | 3 | 1968–2026 | 9 |
| 9 | Strickland test | Strickland v. Washington | 175 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 24 |
| 10 | exclusionary rule | United States v. Leon | 165 | 3 | 1955–2026 | 9 |
| 11 | equal protection clause | Streight v. Ragland | 164 | 3 | 1917–2024 | 11 |
| 12 | emergency clause | Heath v. Westark Poultry Processing Corp. | 141 | 3 | 1914–2023 | 4 |
| 13 | hearsay rule | Hill v. Brown | 132 | 2 | 1953–2026 | 16 |
| 14 | sovereign immunity | THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS v. MATTHEW ANDREWS | 120 | 3 | 1975–2026 | 26 |
| 15 | law of the case doctrine | Alexander v. Chapman | 119 | 2 | 1938–2025 | 13 |
| 16 | separation of powers doctrine | Chaffin v. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission | 115 | 3 | 1978–2026 | 4 |
| 17 | speedy trial violation | State v. Crawford | 115 | 3 | 1979–2026 | 19 |
| 18 | double jeopardy clause | Burks v. United States | 111 | 2 | 1983–2026 | 18 |
| 19 | res judicata doctrine | McCarroll, Commissioner of Revenues v. Farrar | 109 | 2 | 1896–2024 | 10 |
| 20 | petitioner raising claim | Williams v. State | 108 | 2 | 2010–2026 | 18 |
| 21 | benchmark for judging claim | Strickland v. Washington | 106 | 2 | 2009–2026 | 18 |
| 22 | proffered instruction | Barnes v. Everett | 104 | 2 | 1968–2026 | 10 |
| 23 | contemporaneous objection rule | Wicks v. State | 99 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 26 |
| 24 | harmless error | Chapman v. California | 97 | 2 | 1905–2026 | 19 |
| 25 | ineffective assistance claim | Strickland v. Washington | 97 | 2 | 2002–2025 | 16 |
| 26 | knowing and intelligent waiver | Mayo v. State | 88 | 2 | 1975–2026 | 10 |
| 27 | good faith exception | United States v. Leon | 87 | 2 | 1981–2025 | 5 |
| 28 | petitioner making an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim | Abernathy v. State | 82 | 2 | 2012–2025 | 14 |
| 29 | Wicks exception | Wicks v. State | 82 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 27 |
| 30 | mootness doctrine | Wright v. Keffer | 79 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 10 |
| 31 | rational basis test | Streight v. Ragland | 79 | 3 | 1983–2025 | 5 |
| 32 | de novo standard | Nucor Corp. v. Kilman | 78 | 2 | 1960–2026 | 20 |
| 33 | best-interest analysis | Houseman v. Arkansas Department of Human Services | 77 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 36 |
| 34 | pedophile exception | Hernandez v. State | 76 | 2 | 1994–2026 | 23 |
| 35 | Batson challenge | Batson v. Kentucky | 70 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 13 |
| 36 | means challenge | Halfacre v. State | 70 | 2 | 1985–2026 | 10 |
| 37 | drafting error | State ex rel. Bryant v. McLeod | 69 | 3 | 1994–2025 | 10 |
| 38 | ineffective assistance of counsel claim | Strickland v. Washington | 69 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 22 |
| 39 | Fifth Amendment privilege | Miranda v. Arizona | 68 | 2 | 1970–2020 | 0 |
| 40 | qualified immunity | Harlow v. Fitzgerald | 68 | 3 | 1940–2025 | 8 |
| 41 | reasonable doubt error | Chapman v. California | 68 | 3 | 1908–2025 | 6 |
| 42 | warrant requirement | Wofford v. State | 68 | 3 | 1980–2026 | 4 |
| 43 | directed-verdict motion challenge | Rounsaville v. State | 65 | 2 | 1996–2026 | 9 |
| 44 | confrontation clause | Delaware v. Van Arsdall | 61 | 3 | 1970–2026 | 13 |
| 45 | defendant committed one violation | Springs v. State | 61 | 1 | 2006–2026 | 24 |
| 46 | parol evidence rule | First Nat. Bank of Crossett v. Griffin | 61 | 2 | 1930–2024 | 4 |
| 47 | potential-harm analysis | Pine v. Arkansas Department of Human Services | 58 | 1 | 2008–2026 | 9 |
| 48 | adverse claim | Manitowoc Remanufacturing, Inc. v. Vocque | 57 | 2 | 1853–2025 | 5 |
| 49 | Fourth Amendment violation | Ohio v. Robinette | 56 | 3 | 1981–2024 | 7 |
| 50 | past standard | Johnson v. Cotton-Johnson | 55 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 12 |
| 51 | Anders brief | Sartin v. State | 54 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 23 |
| 52 | adjudication hearing | Seago v. Arkansas Department of Human Services | 53 | 2 | 1925–2024 | 9 |
| 53 | petitioner alleges a Brady violation | Wallace v. State | 53 | 1 | 2013–2022 | 8 |
| 54 | laches doctrine | Rowland v. McGuire | 52 | 2 | 1902–2024 | 5 |
| 55 | essential element claim | Short v. Little Rock Dodge, Inc. | 51 | 2 | 1953–2025 | 8 |
| 56 | lesser included offense instruction | Harshaw v. State | 51 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 8 |
| 57 | appellant committed one violation | Peals v. State | 50 | 1 | 1998–2026 | 18 |
| 58 | Denno hearing | Jackson v. Denno | 48 | 2 | 1968–2017 | 0 |
| 59 | record sufficient to demonstrate error | Raymond v. State | 48 | 2 | 1989–2015 | 0 |
| 60 | elementary principle | Townes v. Oklahoma Mill Co. | 47 | 3 | 1898–2024 | 2 |
| 61 | rationale behind rule | Pinell v. State | 47 | 2 | 1982–2026 | 8 |
| 62 | Arkansas rule | Jackson v. State | 46 | 3 | 1940–2020 | 0 |
| 63 | illegal-exaction claim | City of Little Rock v. Cash | 45 | 3 | 1980–2026 | 15 |
| 64 | model instruction | Fincham v. State | 45 | 2 | 1984–2020 | 0 |
| 65 | invited error | McGhee v. State | 44 | 2 | 1927–2026 | 12 |
| 66 | sufficiency of the evidence challenge | Cook v. State | 44 | 2 | 2002–2026 | 10 |
| 67 | firm conviction error | Omni Holding & Development Corp. v. C.A.G. Investments, Inc. | 43 | 2 | 2006–2026 | 8 |
| 68 | incompatibility doctrine | Byrd v. State | 42 | 1 | 1993–2010 | 0 |
| 69 | granting clause | CarLee v. Ellsberry | 41 | 2 | 1901–2006 | 0 |
| 70 | probable cause hearing | Illinois v. Gates | 41 | 3 | 1973–2024 | 3 |
| 71 | third Wicks exception | Anderson v. State | 41 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 16 |
| 72 | totality of the circumstances test | Illinois v. Gates | 41 | 3 | 1983–2024 | 5 |
| 73 | announced rule | Woods v. Spann | 40 | 2 | 1908–2017 | 0 |
| 74 | necessary instruction | Bond v. State | 40 | 2 | 1948–2026 | 5 |
| 75 | prima facie presumption | Duren v. Missouri | 40 | 3 | 1897–2024 | 5 |
| 76 | prejudicial error | Tate v. State | 39 | 2 | 1897–2025 | 4 |
| 77 | State to prove violation | Jones v. State | 39 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 6 |
| 78 | paramount principle | Estate of Harp v. Harp | 38 | 3 | 1934–2024 | 3 |
| 79 | reversible discovery violation | Bray v. State | 38 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 9 |
| 80 | circumstances surrounding waiver | Flanagan v. State | 37 | 2 | 1986–2025 | 6 |
| 81 | earning power standard | Spears v. Spears | 37 | 2 | 1987–2024 | 3 |
| 82 | commerce clause | Robbins v. Shelby County Taxing District | 36 | 2 | 1892–2007 | 0 |
| 83 | intelligent waiver | Bledsoe v. State | 36 | 2 | 1956–2021 | 2 |
| 84 | permanency planning hearing | Bryant v. Arkansas Department of Human Services | 36 | 2 | 2005–2025 | 6 |
| 85 | res ipsa loquitur doctrine | Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. v. Frisbie | 36 | 2 | 1925–2023 | 1 |
| 86 | second prong test | Holloway v. State | 36 | 3 | 1979–2022 | 2 |
| 87 | cognizable claim | Philyaw v. Kelley | 35 | 2 | 1991–2025 | 4 |
| 88 | guiding principle | Justin Tubbs v. Caitlin Tubbs | 35 | 3 | 1948–2026 | 17 |
| 89 | interpretation error | Cockrell v. Union Planters Bank | 35 | 3 | 1929–2025 | 7 |
| 90 | ruling is a procedural bar | Bell v. Bershears | 35 | 2 | 2001–2025 | 6 |
| 91 | proffered jury instruction | Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance v. Daggett | 34 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 7 |
| 92 | claim of sovereign immunity | State v. Mitchell | 33 | 3 | 2000–2025 | 7 |
| 93 | intentional or deliberate violation | Nibco, Inc. v. Metcalf | 33 | 2 | 1996–2026 | 5 |
| 94 | justification defense | Humphrey v. State | 33 | 2 | 1979–2026 | 15 |
| 95 | American rule | Carter v. Cline | 32 | 3 | 1884–2026 | 7 |
| 96 | predominance requirement | Johnson's Sales Co., Inc. v. Harris | 32 | 2 | 1997–2024 | 3 |
| 97 | verification requirement | Carey v. State | 32 | 2 | 1917–2025 | 6 |
| 98 | defense of sovereign immunity | Martin v. Haas | 31 | 3 | 1990–2025 | 10 |
| 99 | direct challenge | Sanford v. State | 31 | 2 | 1899–2026 | 4 |
| 100 | camera hearing | Graydon v. State | 30 | 2 | 1972–2024 | 2 |
| 101 | gave instruction | Dunham v. State | 30 | 2 | 1861–2010 | 0 |
| 102 | bench bar | Robinson v. State | 29 | 2 | 1929–2023 | 4 |
| 103 | burden of proving claim | David Lee Daniels, Jr. v. State of Arkansas | 29 | 2 | 1966–2023 | 8 |
| 104 | cumulative error | Nooner v. State | 29 | 2 | 1994–2025 | 5 |
| 105 | ex post facto clause | Collins v. Youngblood | 29 | 3 | 1987–2026 | 1 |
| 106 | reason underlying requirement | Scott v. State | 29 | 2 | 2002–2026 | 11 |
| 107 | burden of demonstrating error | Ross v. State | 28 | 2 | 1976–2007 | 0 |
| 108 | Chrisco factors | Chrisco v. Sun Industries, Inc. | 28 | 2 | 2004–2026 | 7 |
| 109 | consider challenge | Jones v. State | 28 | 2 | 1997–2023 | 4 |
| 110 | plain error | Wicks v. State | 28 | 2 | 1928–2026 | 4 |
| 111 | excited utterance exception | United States v. John Louis Iron Shell, Jr. | 27 | 2 | 1990–2025 | 1 |
| 112 | insanity defense | KM v. State | 27 | 2 | 1969–2017 | 0 |
| 113 | kind inquiry | Friend v. Norris | 27 | 2 | 1893–2026 | 2 |
| 114 | plain view doctrine | Johnson v. State | 27 | 2 | 1977–2021 | 2 |
| 115 | policy rule | McCormac v. McCormac | 27 | 3 | 1909–2025 | 2 |
| 116 | stare decisis doctrine | Parish v. Pitts | 27 | 2 | 1893–2021 | 1 |
| 117 | adverse use claim | Stone v. Halliburton | 26 | 2 | 1980–2025 | 5 |
| 118 | binding instruction | Reynolds v. Ashabranner | 26 | 2 | 1938–2003 | 0 |
| 119 | employment-at-will doctrine | Sterling Drug, Inc. v. Oxford | 26 | 3 | 1984–2026 | 4 |
| 120 | estoppel doctrine | Time Insurance Co. v. Graves | 26 | 3 | 1896–2012 | 0 |
| 121 | manslaughter instruction | Rainey v. State | 26 | 2 | 1970–2025 | 3 |
| 122 | outrage claim | Angle v. Alexander | 26 | 2 | 1996–2026 | 4 |
| 123 | AMI instruction | Vangilder v. Faulk | 25 | 2 | 1967–2019 | 0 |
| 124 | going and coming rule | Hightower v. Newark Public School System | 25 | 2 | 1960–2025 | 5 |
| 125 | law of the case prohibits doctrine | Cadillac Cowboy, Inc. v. Jackson | 25 | 2 | 2004–2025 | 4 |
| 126 | typicality requirement | Summons v. Missouri Pacific Railroad | 25 | 1 | 1995–2022 | 2 |
| 127 | witness rule | Pleasant v. State | 25 | 2 | 1975–2025 | 1 |
| 128 | collateral estoppel doctrine | Zinger v. Terrell | 24 | 2 | 1970–2017 | 0 |
| 129 | erred in giving instruction | Allison v. State | 24 | 1 | 1912–1945 | 0 |
| 130 | faith and credit clause | Lewis v. United Order of Good Samaritans | 24 | 2 | 1926–2014 | 0 |
| 131 | refusal to give instruction | Starling v. State | 24 | 2 | 1909–2023 | 3 |
| 132 | statute of limitations defense | Hutcherson v. Rutledge | 24 | 2 | 1914–2023 | 5 |
| 133 | clean-up doctrine | Douthitt v. Douthitt | 23 | 2 | 1979–2019 | 0 |
| 134 | clearly-erroneous standard | Poff v. Peedin | 23 | 2 | 2003–2026 | 4 |
| 135 | ease bar | Parker v. Harper | 23 | 1 | 1898–1970 | 0 |
| 136 | opportunity to correct error | Gustafson v. State | 23 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 4 |
| 137 | amci instruction | Blaney v. State | 22 | 2 | 1980–2018 | 0 |
| 138 | approved instruction | Orr v. Carpenter | 22 | 1 | 1905–1995 | 0 |
| 139 | charitable immunity | Williams v. Jefferson Hospital Ass'n | 22 | 3 | 1973–2025 | 2 |
| 140 | citation warning | Sims v. State | 22 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 2 |
| 141 | collateral source rule | Amos v. Stroud | 22 | 2 | 1972–2017 | 0 |
| 142 | deliberate violation | Stagecoach Motel v. Krause | 22 | 2 | 1934–2008 | 0 |
| 143 | disregard standard | Stagecoach Motel v. Krause | 22 | 2 | 1911–2016 | 0 |
| 144 | drug test | Chandler v. Miller | 22 | 3 | 1989–2019 | 0 |
| 145 | election of remedies doctrine | Smith v. Walt Bennett Ford, Inc. | 22 | 2 | 1958–2021 | 1 |
| 146 | exhaustion of administrative remedies doctrine | Myers v. Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. | 22 | 2 | 1988–2025 | 2 |
| 147 | generally accepted standard | Aetna Life Insurance Co. v. Routon | 22 | 2 | 1900–2026 | 1 |
| 148 | minority rule | Ragar v. Brown | 22 | 2 | 1923–2006 | 0 |
| 149 | object rule | Grillot v. State | 22 | 3 | 1905–2025 | 2 |
| 150 | presence hearing | Polk v. State | 22 | 3 | 1916–2024 | 2 |
Top 150 by distinct citing opinions.