The doctrines North Dakota 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 | Buchholz v. Buchholz | 645 | 1 | 1982–2026 | 142 |
| 2 | de novo standard | Buchholz v. Buchholz | 280 | 1 | 1981–2026 | 48 |
| 3 | obvious error | State v. Pemberton | 206 | 1 | 1974–2026 | 68 |
| 4 | warrant requirement | State v. Mitzel | 189 | 1 | 1974–2026 | 21 |
| 5 | due process clause | State v. Kruckenberg | 183 | 1 | 1935–2026 | 12 |
| 6 | affirmative defense | State v. Michlitsch | 166 | 1 | 1907–2026 | 24 |
| 7 | exclusionary rule | United States v. Leon | 146 | 1 | 1968–2026 | 16 |
| 8 | Miranda warning | Miranda v. Arizona | 120 | 1 | 1971–2026 | 6 |
| 9 | Strickland test | Strickland v. Washington | 114 | 1 | 1987–2025 | 35 |
| 10 | ineffective assistance of counsel claim | Strickland v. Washington | 108 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 12 |
| 11 | fundamental principle | Mathews v. Eldridge | 99 | 1 | 1898–2025 | 5 |
| 12 | Intoxilyzer test | Buchholz v. North Dakota Department of Transportation | 90 | 2 | 1985–2025 | 6 |
| 13 | modified clearly erroneous standard | In Re EWF | 88 | 1 | 2005–2025 | 8 |
| 14 | clear and convincing standard | In Interest of JS | 85 | 1 | 1979–2025 | 1 |
| 15 | Fourth Amendment violation | City of Fargo v. Sivertson | 84 | 1 | 1974–2026 | 7 |
| 16 | hearsay rule | Markgraf v. Welker | 77 | 2 | 1905–2024 | 5 |
| 17 | essential element claim | Barbie v. Minko Construction, Inc. | 75 | 1 | 1984–2025 | 11 |
| 18 | harmless error | Chapman v. California | 75 | 1 | 1971–2025 | 12 |
| 19 | law of the case doctrine | Tom Beuchler Construction, Inc. v. City of Williston | 63 | 1 | 1987–2024 | 14 |
| 20 | equal protection clause | Hanson v. Williams County | 61 | 1 | 1935–2018 | 0 |
| 21 | totality of the circumstances test | State v. Ringquist | 57 | 1 | 1988–2023 | 2 |
| 22 | double jeopardy clause | State v. Zimmerman | 56 | 1 | 1971–2025 | 4 |
| 23 | Ruff-Fischer factors | Fischer v. Fischer | 55 | 1 | 1985–2026 | 20 |
| 24 | parol evidence rule | Gajewski v. Bratcher | 53 | 1 | 1926–2019 | 0 |
| 25 | blood alcohol test | South Dakota v. Neville | 52 | 1 | 1980–2020 | 0 |
| 26 | rational basis test | Gange v. CLERK OF BURLEIGH CTY. DIST. COURT | 52 | 1 | 1979–2025 | 1 |
| 27 | corresponding federal rule | White v. T.P. Motel, L.L.C. | 51 | 2 | 1985–2025 | 3 |
| 28 | separation of powers doctrine | Power Fuels, Inc. v. Elkin | 51 | 1 | 1979–2024 | 4 |
| 29 | Fifth Amendment privilege | Miranda v. Arizona | 45 | 1 | 1974–2024 | 1 |
| 30 | probing clearly erroneous standard | In Re DA | 45 | 1 | 1995–2025 | 12 |
| 31 | plain error | State v. Olander | 44 | 1 | 1907–2026 | 15 |
| 32 | meaningful opportunity hearing | Matter of Adoption of JWM | 42 | 1 | 1980–2026 | 6 |
| 33 | res judicata doctrine | Stetson v. Investors Oil, Inc. | 42 | 2 | 1918–2023 | 5 |
| 34 | specifications error | Dettler v. Sprynczynatyk | 42 | 1 | 1908–2020 | 0 |
| 35 | sufficiency of the evidence claim | State v. Hannah | 42 | 1 | 1993–2026 | 17 |
| 36 | good faith exception | United States v. Leon | 41 | 1 | 1984–2020 | 0 |
| 37 | intermediate standard | Hanson v. Williams County | 39 | 1 | 1974–2018 | 0 |
| 38 | federal constitutional error | Chapman v. California | 38 | 1 | 1964–2025 | 3 |
| 39 | interests factors | Cox v. Cox | 37 | 1 | 1999–2025 | 3 |
| 40 | probable cause standard | State v. Schmalz | 37 | 1 | 1971–2021 | 1 |
| 41 | sovereign immunity | Bulman v. Hulstrand Construction Co., Inc. | 37 | 1 | 1982–2021 | 1 |
| 42 | change of plea hearing | Abdi v. State | 35 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 8 |
| 43 | discharge hearing | Burdick v. Wolff | 34 | 1 | 2001–2025 | 4 |
| 44 | impossibility of proving claim | Lang v. Schafer | 34 | 2 | 1980–2025 | 4 |
| 45 | per se rule | State v. Herrick | 34 | 1 | 1974–2025 | 1 |
| 46 | appellant a fair hearing | Dworshak v. Moore | 33 | 1 | 1951–2009 | 0 |
| 47 | best-interest factors | Worden v. Worden | 33 | 1 | 1989–2025 | 8 |
| 48 | Brady violation | Brady v. Maryland | 33 | 1 | 1974–2026 | 8 |
| 49 | emergency exception | State v. Matthews | 33 | 1 | 1890–2021 | 1 |
| 50 | foundational requirement | State v. Gietzen | 32 | 2 | 1974–2019 | 0 |
| 51 | automobile exception | State v. Doohen | 31 | 1 | 1981–2026 | 6 |
| 52 | Terry stop | Terry v. Ohio | 30 | 1 | 1985–2021 | 1 |
| 53 | commitment hearing | In the Interest of M.D. | 29 | 1 | 1983–2024 | 5 |
| 54 | burden of showing error | Lc v. Rp | 28 | 2 | 1901–2026 | 4 |
| 55 | statute of limitations defense | D.E. v. K.F. | 28 | 1 | 1912–2024 | 5 |
| 56 | fact at issue rule | Tank v. Tank | 27 | 1 | 2005–2026 | 4 |
| 57 | fact-specific inquiry | State v. Wolfer | 27 | 1 | 2002–2021 | 5 |
| 58 | knowing and intelligent waiver | State v. Harmon | 27 | 1 | 1987–2025 | 4 |
| 59 | North Dakota rule | State v. Osier | 27 | 1 | 1975–2026 | 2 |
| 60 | reasonable suspicion standard | Kappel v. Director, ND Department of Transportation | 27 | 1 | 1986–2024 | 2 |
| 61 | self-defense claim | State v. Olander | 27 | 1 | 1973–2026 | 7 |
| 62 | culpability requirement | State v. Holte | 26 | 1 | 1981–2026 | 2 |
| 63 | equitable estoppel doctrine | Burr v. Trinity Medical Center | 26 | 1 | 1959–2025 | 2 |
| 64 | power to notice obvious error | State v. Vondal | 26 | 1 | 1986–2025 | 2 |
| 65 | mandate rule | Carlson v. Workforce Safety & Insurance | 25 | 1 | 1999–2026 | 11 |
| 66 | minimum standard | In Interest of KRAG | 25 | 1 | 1962–2016 | 0 |
| 67 | Stout-Hawkinson factors | Stout v. Stout | 25 | 1 | 2005–2026 | 7 |
| 68 | administration test | Kuntz v. State Highway Commissioner | 24 | 2 | 1981–2025 | 1 |
| 69 | can intelligently rule | State v. Haakenson | 24 | 1 | 1974–2013 | 0 |
| 70 | domestic violence presumption | Cox v. Cox | 24 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 1 |
| 71 | inevitable discovery doctrine | State v. Phelps | 24 | 1 | 1980–2023 | 3 |
| 72 | probable effect error | State v. Smuda | 24 | 1 | 1977–2023 | 2 |
| 73 | vagueness doctrine | State v. Woodworth | 24 | 1 | 1975–2025 | 3 |
| 74 | warrantless blood test | Birchfield v. N. Dakota. William Robert Bernard | 24 | 1 | 2015–2020 | 0 |
| 75 | estoppel doctrine | Blocker Drilling Canada, Ltd. v. Conrad | 23 | 1 | 1912–2023 | 1 |
| 76 | lesser included offense instruction | State v. Piper | 23 | 1 | 1977–2025 | 2 |
| 77 | plain view doctrine | Minnesota v. Dickerson | 23 | 1 | 1981–2026 | 3 |
| 78 | reasonable doubt standard | Chapman v. California | 23 | 1 | 1977–2021 | 1 |
| 79 | results test | State v. Berger | 23 | 1 | 1972–2025 | 1 |
| 80 | results of a chemical test | State v. O'Connor | 23 | 2 | 1986–2018 | 0 |
| 81 | speedy trial claim | Barker v. Wingo | 23 | 1 | 1993–2025 | 7 |
| 82 | reservation clause | Stetson v. Nelson | 22 | 1 | 1951–2023 | 2 |
| 83 | vehicle violation | McCarty v. N.D. Workers Compensation Bureau | 22 | 1 | 1984–2020 | 0 |
| 84 | reasonable and articulable suspicion standard | Bryl v. Backes | 21 | 1 | 1995–2024 | 2 |
| 85 | structural error | State v. Rogers | 21 | 1 | 2004–2025 | 11 |
| 86 | substantive due process challenge | Kansas v. Crane | 21 | 1 | 1978–2025 | 1 |
| 87 | voluntary waiver | State v. Harmon | 21 | 1 | 1993–2025 | 4 |
| 88 | weight of the evidence test | Power Fuels, Inc. v. Elkin | 21 | 1 | 1979–2020 | 0 |
| 89 | disputable presumption | Willman v. Harty Co. | 20 | 2 | 1954–2026 | 1 |
| 90 | district court committed obvious error | Kalmio v. State | 20 | 1 | 2006–2026 | 6 |
| 91 | involuntary treatment hearing | In Interest of Ebertz | 20 | 1 | 1990–2019 | 0 |
| 92 | record to support claim | State v. McDonell | 20 | 2 | 1974–2016 | 0 |
| 93 | void-for-vagueness challenge | City of Belfield v. Kilkenny | 20 | 1 | 1984–2025 | 2 |
| 94 | causal relationship between violation | Winkjer v. Herr | 19 | 1 | 1979–2024 | 2 |
| 95 | home rule | City of Fargo v. Malme | 19 | 1 | 1972–2024 | 1 |
| 96 | interpretation of a court rule | State v. Ebertz | 19 | 1 | 2010–2026 | 6 |
| 97 | onsite screening test | State v. Parizek | 19 | 1 | 1990–2019 | 0 |
| 98 | pre-divorce standard | Wahlberg v. Wahlberg | 19 | 1 | 1992–2010 | 0 |
| 99 | reasoned analysis | Overboe v. Farm Credit Services of Fargo | 19 | 1 | 1968–2019 | 0 |
| 100 | Tbe rule | Ritchie v. People | 19 | 1 | 1913–1943 | 0 |
| 101 | acquiescence doctrine | Brown v. Brodell | 18 | 1 | 1981–2024 | 3 |
| 102 | Alford plea | North Carolina v. Alford | 18 | 1 | 1982–2025 | 4 |
| 103 | date for an evidentiary hearing | O'Neill v. O'Neill | 18 | 1 | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| 104 | exigent circumstances exception | Welsh v. Wisconsin | 18 | 1 | 1984–2019 | 0 |
| 105 | invited error | State v. Yoney | 18 | 1 | 1992–2025 | 5 |
| 106 | known right privilege | Pfeifle v. Tanabe | 18 | 1 | 1984–2025 | 3 |
| 107 | legal sufficiency claim | Nandan, LLP v. City of Fargo | 18 | 1 | 2004–2026 | 7 |
| 108 | nonexistence defense | State v. Olander | 18 | 1 | 1981–2017 | 0 |
| 109 | preponderance of the evidence standard | Power Fuels, Inc. v. Elkin | 18 | 1 | 1981–2023 | 2 |
| 110 | prima facie presumption | Hedderich v. Hedderich | 18 | 1 | 1907–2012 | 0 |
| 111 | prudent person upon inquiry | Burlington Northern, Inc. v. Hall | 18 | 1 | 1982–2021 | 1 |
| 112 | rigorous standard | Okken v. Okken | 18 | 1 | 1982–2002 | 0 |
| 113 | screening test | State v. Smith | 18 | 1 | 1987–2023 | 1 |
| 114 | specification error | Vetter v. North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau | 18 | 1 | 1910–2020 | 0 |
| 115 | actions alleged error | State v. Johnson | 17 | 1 | 1975–2014 | 0 |
| 116 | burden of proving error | Lc v. Rp | 17 | 1 | 1915–2023 | 6 |
| 117 | caretaker rule | Gravning v. Gravning | 17 | 1 | 1986–2023 | 1 |
| 118 | certainty test | Ell v. Ell | 17 | 1 | 1912–2019 | 0 |
| 119 | concluded doctrine | People v. Gecht | 17 | 1 | 1962–2020 | 0 |
| 120 | confrontation clause | Crawford v. Washington | 17 | 1 | 1979–2020 | 0 |
| 121 | laches doctrine | Ken by Shasky v. Rc | 17 | 1 | 1954–2024 | 5 |
| 122 | pattern jury instruction | State v. Johnson | 17 | 1 | 1979–2026 | 1 |
| 123 | qualified immunity | Soentgen v. Quain & Ramstad Clinic, P.C. | 17 | 2 | 1991–2025 | 3 |
| 124 | scientific accuracy test | Schwind v. Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation | 17 | 1 | 1990–2019 | 0 |
| 125 | at-will doctrine | Dahlberg v. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERV. OF ND | 16 | 1 | 1987–2021 | 1 |
| 126 | Bank motion | Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Land & Cattle Co. | 16 | 1 | 1916–2016 | 0 |
| 127 | Crane requirement | Kansas v. Crane | 16 | 1 | 2007–2023 | 1 |
| 128 | damage claim | General Electric Credit Corp. v. Richman | 16 | 1 | 1983–2023 | 1 |
| 129 | deceit claim | Pioneer Fuels, Inc. v. Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. | 16 | 1 | 1995–2023 | 2 |
| 130 | Duhig rule | Kadrmas v. Sauvageau | 16 | 1 | 1981–2017 | 0 |
| 131 | facts involves error | In Re NCC | 16 | 1 | 2000–2023 | 3 |
| 132 | Franks hearing | Franks v. Delaware | 16 | 1 | 1986–2017 | 0 |
| 133 | granting clause | Royse v. Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children & Adults, Inc. of North Dakota | 16 | 1 | 1955–2024 | 1 |
| 134 | hierarchy factors | Law v. Whittet | 16 | 1 | 1995–2026 | 1 |
| 135 | knowledge requirement | BASF Corp. v. Symington | 16 | 2 | 1981–2020 | 0 |
| 136 | necessary analysis | State v. Murchison | 16 | 1 | 1976–2017 | 0 |
| 137 | showing test | Moser v. North Dakota State Highway Commissioner | 16 | 1 | 1964–2016 | 0 |
| 138 | unjust enrichment doctrine | McColl Farms, LLC v. Pflaum | 16 | 1 | 1974–2026 | 6 |
| 139 | added claim | Johnson v. Hovland | 15 | 1 | 1994–2018 | 0 |
| 140 | decides claim | Strand v. Cass County | 15 | 1 | 2014–2021 | 1 |
| 141 | disclosure requirement | Winkjer v. Herr | 15 | 1 | 1981–2012 | 0 |
| 142 | district court committed reversible error | State v. Decker | 15 | 1 | 1977–2026 | 2 |
| 143 | facts meet the legal standard | Aamodt v. North Dakota Department of Transportation | 15 | 1 | 1997–2020 | 0 |
| 144 | forfeited error | United States v. Olano | 15 | 1 | 1998–2024 | 7 |
| 145 | forfeiture hearing | United States v. Olano | 15 | 1 | 1890–2022 | 3 |
| 146 | individual challenge | Geiger v. Backes | 15 | 1 | 2001–2019 | 0 |
| 147 | interpretation rule | Moen v. Thomas | 15 | 1 | 1974–2023 | 1 |
| 148 | party making a constitutional claim | Olson v. WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE | 15 | 1 | 1995–2022 | 1 |
| 149 | party raising a constitutional challenge | State v. Harmon | 15 | 1 | 1987–2024 | 2 |
| 150 | performance of a chemical test | Dettler v. Sprynczynatyk | 15 | 1 | 1985–2022 | 1 |
Top 150 by distinct citing opinions.