The doctrines Nebraska 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 | plain error | State v. Kantaras | 427 | 2 | 1899–2026 | 121 |
| 2 | ineffective assistance of counsel claim | Strickland v. Washington | 399 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 189 |
| 3 | affirmative defense | Millman v. County of Butler | 254 | 3 | 1892–2026 | 29 |
| 4 | tendered instruction | Rose v. City of Lincoln | 244 | 2 | 1935–2026 | 22 |
| 5 | fundamental principle | State v. Adams | 243 | 3 | 1885–2026 | 21 |
| 6 | absence of prejudicial error | State v. Price | 237 | 2 | 1965–2026 | 54 |
| 7 | sufficiency of the evidence claim | State v. Figures | 202 | 2 | 1998–2025 | 80 |
| 8 | due process clause | Nickel v. School Board of Axtell | 181 | 3 | 1932–2025 | 9 |
| 9 | harmless error | State v. Watkins | 155 | 2 | 1920–2025 | 17 |
| 10 | Miranda warning | Miranda v. Arizona | 150 | 2 | 1970–2025 | 15 |
| 11 | record to address claim | State v. Warner | 133 | 2 | 2017–2026 | 100 |
| 12 | questioned instruction | State v. Hinrichsen | 124 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 13 |
| 13 | appeal based claim | State v. Hinrichsen | 119 | 2 | 1990–2025 | 8 |
| 14 | hearsay rule | State v. Walker | 116 | 3 | 1941–2026 | 26 |
| 15 | statute or constitutional requirement | State v. Npimnee | 115 | 2 | 2017–2026 | 81 |
| 16 | assigned error | State v. Abdullah | 112 | 2 | 1881–2026 | 48 |
| 17 | Reply brief | FIRST UNION NAT. BANK OF CAROLINA v. Hackney | 112 | 2 | 1988–2026 | 30 |
| 18 | cannot commit error | Eletech, Inc. v. Conveyance Consulting Group | 100 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 31 |
| 19 | interests analysis | In re Interest of Jahon S. | 99 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 55 |
| 20 | exclusionary rule | United States v. Leon | 95 | 2 | 1941–2025 | 20 |
| 21 | adjudication hearing | In Re Interest of DMB | 90 | 2 | 1897–2025 | 12 |
| 22 | equal protection clause | Batson v. Kentucky | 85 | 3 | 1936–2022 | 2 |
| 23 | two prongs test | Strickland v. Washington | 83 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 21 |
| 24 | warrant requirement | State v. Perry | 83 | 2 | 1898–2026 | 18 |
| 25 | right to assert prejudicial error | In re Estate of Clinger | 79 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 18 |
| 26 | charges bar | Garza v. Garza | 76 | 2 | 1950–2025 | 20 |
| 27 | sovereign immunity | Riley v. State | 75 | 3 | 1967–2025 | 27 |
| 28 | ineffective assistance claim | State v. Mrza | 74 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 35 |
| 29 | second assignment error | State v. Pierce | 71 | 2 | 1884–2025 | 6 |
| 30 | Strickland test | Strickland v. Washington | 70 | 2 | 1988–2025 | 21 |
| 31 | law of the case doctrine | County of Sarpy v. City of Gretna | 68 | 2 | 1910–2025 | 17 |
| 32 | absence of plain error | Haeffner v. STATE, DEPT. OF PUB. INST | 67 | 2 | 1984–2025 | 9 |
| 33 | right to note plain error | State v. Chacon | 67 | 2 | 1984–2023 | 2 |
| 34 | residual hearsay exception | State v. Martinez | 65 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 23 |
| 35 | Nebraska rule | Bartlett v. Eaton | 63 | 2 | 1933–2024 | 5 |
| 36 | abuse of discretion standard | State v. Jeremiah T. | 60 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 24 |
| 37 | Fourth Amendment violation | Whren v. United States | 60 | 3 | 1972–2025 | 9 |
| 38 | prejudicial error | Wright ex rel. Wright v. Cameron | 60 | 2 | 1899–2021 | 2 |
| 39 | double jeopardy clause | State v. Hansen | 59 | 3 | 1970–2025 | 4 |
| 40 | home rule | Consumers Coal Co. v. City of Lincoln | 59 | 3 | 1922–2020 | 0 |
| 41 | parental fitness analysis | In re Interest of Jahon S. | 56 | 2 | 2016–2025 | 36 |
| 42 | public interest exception | Hauser v. Hauser | 56 | 2 | 1989–2026 | 10 |
| 43 | rational defense | State v. Haynes | 53 | 2 | 1915–2025 | 17 |
| 44 | supplemental brief | Regents of University of California v. Doe | 51 | 2 | 1930–2026 | 16 |
| 45 | party cannot complain error | Norwest Bank Nebraska, N.A. v. Bowers | 50 | 2 | 1978–2026 | 14 |
| 46 | show cause hearing | Mahmood v. Mahmud | 50 | 2 | 2010–2026 | 28 |
| 47 | facts pertaining factors | State v. Greer | 49 | 1 | 2022–2026 | 49 |
| 48 | Fifth Amendment privilege | Miranda v. Arizona | 49 | 3 | 1968–2022 | 1 |
| 49 | parental preference principle | In Re Guardianship of DJ | 47 | 2 | 1992–2025 | 5 |
| 50 | good faith exception | United States v. Leon | 46 | 2 | 1988–2024 | 8 |
| 51 | parol evidence rule | Perry v. Gross | 46 | 2 | 1921–2020 | 0 |
| 52 | mootness doctrine | Hauser v. Hauser | 43 | 2 | 1989–2026 | 16 |
| 53 | res judicata doctrine | NC + Hybrids v. Growers Seed Ass'n | 43 | 2 | 1903–2025 | 2 |
| 54 | equitable estoppel doctrine | Reifschneider v. Nebraska Methodist Hospital | 42 | 2 | 1896–2023 | 4 |
| 55 | light rule | Caspers v. Frerichs | 42 | 3 | 1887–2022 | 1 |
| 56 | end of any judicial inquiry | Ameritas Life Ins. Corp. v. Balka | 41 | 3 | 2000–2023 | 2 |
| 57 | justiciability doctrine | Weatherly v. Cochran | 41 | 2 | 2008–2026 | 13 |
| 58 | modification hearing | State on behalf of Jakai C. v. Tiffany M. | 41 | 2 | 1895–2024 | 6 |
| 59 | of review standard | Gress v. Gress | 40 | 2 | 1989–2023 | 2 |
| 60 | totality of the circumstances test | State v. McCurdy | 40 | 2 | 1983–2026 | 9 |
| 61 | waiver of sovereign immunity | Jill B. & Travis B. v. State | 40 | 2 | 1985–2024 | 14 |
| 62 | failure to raise claim | Strickland v. Washington | 39 | 2 | 2016–2026 | 26 |
| 63 | evidence admitted hearing | Bennett v. Labenz | 38 | 2 | 2003–2026 | 11 |
| 64 | standing inquiry | Metropolitan Utilities District v. Twin Platte Natural Resources District | 38 | 2 | 1899–2025 | 6 |
| 65 | Terry stop | Terry v. Ohio | 38 | 3 | 1987–2022 | 3 |
| 66 | insanity defense | State v. Hood | 37 | 3 | 1982–2026 | 11 |
| 67 | operation bar | Sanitary & Improvement District No. 145 v. Nye | 37 | 2 | 1883–2017 | 0 |
| 68 | per se rule | United States v. Barbara Mouzin, United States of America v. Alfonso Carvajal | 37 | 3 | 1979–2023 | 4 |
| 69 | reputation bar | STATE EX REL. STATE BAR ASS'N v. Rasmussen | 37 | 1 | 1985–2024 | 6 |
| 70 | res ipsa loquitur doctrine | Thompson v. Young Men's Christian Ass'n | 37 | 2 | 1920–2025 | 5 |
| 71 | announced rule | United States v. Halper | 36 | 1 | 1899–1997 | 0 |
| 72 | Daubert hearing | Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 35 | 2 | 1994–2024 | 3 |
| 73 | deviation standard | Doe v. Zedek | 35 | 2 | 1979–2022 | 1 |
| 74 | layered claim | Strickland v. Washington | 34 | 2 | 2016–2026 | 24 |
| 75 | separation of powers doctrine | State v. Philipps | 34 | 3 | 1979–2024 | 4 |
| 76 | emergency doctrine | Roby v. Auker | 33 | 3 | 1896–2024 | 1 |
| 77 | matter for plain error | State v. Kantaras | 33 | 2 | 2017–2025 | 21 |
| 78 | should consider four factors | Wiedel v. Wiedel | 33 | 2 | 1998–2026 | 14 |
| 79 | elementary rule | Wisner v. Vandelay Invs., L.L.C. | 32 | 2 | 1892–2019 | 0 |
| 80 | last clear chance doctrine | Carter v. Zdan | 32 | 1 | 1934–2000 | 0 |
| 81 | statute of limitations defense | Andres v. McNeil Co., Inc. | 32 | 2 | 1982–2026 | 6 |
| 82 | enhancement hearing | State v. Ziemba | 31 | 3 | 1984–2024 | 6 |
| 83 | lesser included offense instruction | State v. Williams | 31 | 2 | 1982–2025 | 3 |
| 84 | matter necessitates an evidentiary hearing | State v. Cody | 31 | 2 | 1994–2013 | 0 |
| 85 | person making claim | Gress v. Gress | 31 | 2 | 1998–2024 | 3 |
| 86 | self-defense instruction | State v. Kruger | 31 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 12 |
| 87 | collateral estoppel doctrine | FARM CREDIT BANK OF OMAHA v. Stute | 30 | 2 | 1981–2023 | 1 |
| 88 | confrontation clause | Delaware v. Van Arsdall | 30 | 3 | 1970–2025 | 5 |
| 89 | knowing and intelligent waiver | State v. Wilson | 30 | 2 | 1979–2025 | 7 |
| 90 | Schafersman objection | Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 30 | 2 | 2004–2024 | 7 |
| 91 | case falls within rule | State v. Craig | 29 | 1 | 1877–2003 | 0 |
| 92 | proceedings for plain error | Steffy v. Steffy | 29 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 18 |
| 93 | reasons rule | Bramlett v. State | 29 | 2 | 1889–2020 | 0 |
| 94 | uniform standard | Carpenter v. STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION & ASSESS. | 29 | 2 | 1876–2022 | 2 |
| 95 | appellate right challenge | State v. Olbricht | 28 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 5 |
| 96 | Batson challenge | Batson v. Kentucky | 28 | 2 | 1987–2025 | 3 |
| 97 | circumstances factors | State v. Haynie | 28 | 2 | 1932–2026 | 4 |
| 98 | discretionary function exception | Security Investment Co. v. State | 28 | 2 | 1984–2021 | 4 |
| 99 | estoppel doctrine | People v. Brown | 28 | 2 | 1884–2025 | 2 |
| 100 | party asserting the alleged error | State v. Garcia | 28 | 2 | 2020–2026 | 27 |
| 101 | respondeat superior doctrine | Kocsis v. Harrison | 28 | 2 | 1912–2025 | 2 |
| 102 | force used defense | State v. Urbano | 27 | 2 | 1997–2026 | 16 |
| 103 | previously waived error | Ecker v. E&A Consulting Grp., Inc. | 27 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 6 |
| 104 | allowance claim | State ex rel. Spillman v. Farmers State Bank | 26 | 2 | 1891–1998 | 0 |
| 105 | automobile exception | Benton v. State | 26 | 2 | 1944–2026 | 10 |
| 106 | Frye test | Frye v. United States | 25 | 2 | 1992–2017 | 0 |
| 107 | generally accepted rule | Graham v. Anderson | 25 | 2 | 1899–2026 | 3 |
| 108 | void-for-vagueness doctrine | Kolender v. Lawson | 25 | 3 | 1985–2024 | 2 |
| 109 | Brady violation | Brady v. Maryland | 24 | 3 | 1994–2025 | 6 |
| 110 | de novo standard | State v. Boppre | 24 | 2 | 1997–2026 | 13 |
| 111 | inclusionary rule | State v. Stewart | 24 | 2 | 1985–2026 | 4 |
| 112 | personal privilege | Coffield v. State | 24 | 2 | 1893–2018 | 0 |
| 113 | sound rule | McLain v. State | 24 | 2 | 1890–2023 | 1 |
| 114 | Brown motion | State v. Pierce | 23 | 2 | 1983–2024 | 9 |
| 115 | contested factual hearing | Mahmood v. Mahmud | 23 | 2 | 2010–2026 | 14 |
| 116 | sovereign and against waiver | Jill B. & Travis B. v. State | 23 | 2 | 1998–2024 | 7 |
| 117 | time of the termination hearing | In Re Interest of Walter W. | 23 | 2 | 2003–2026 | 7 |
| 118 | correctness rule | McIntosh v. State | 22 | 1 | 1893–1967 | 0 |
| 119 | prima facie violation | Duren v. Missouri | 22 | 2 | 1882–2026 | 4 |
| 120 | record only for plain error | State v. Mrza | 22 | 2 | 2014–2026 | 12 |
| 121 | subrogation claim | Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Vaccari | 22 | 2 | 1895–2018 | 0 |
| 122 | witness defense | State v. Abdullah | 22 | 2 | 1916–2025 | 4 |
| 123 | accused may prepare defense | State v. Theisen | 21 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 6 |
| 124 | alibi defense | State v. Newman | 21 | 2 | 1897–2024 | 11 |
| 125 | comparative negligence rule | Rogers v. Shepherd | 21 | 1 | 1934–1998 | 0 |
| 126 | detention hearing | In Re Interest of RG | 21 | 2 | 1987–2025 | 4 |
| 127 | excited utterance exception | State v. Plant | 21 | 2 | 1990–2023 | 2 |
| 128 | like rule | Frye v. United States | 21 | 1 | 1881–2000 | 0 |
| 129 | likelihood defense | State v. Manjikian | 21 | 2 | 2018–2026 | 11 |
| 130 | plain view doctrine | State v. Haselhorst | 21 | 2 | 1976–2022 | 2 |
| 131 | proffered instruction | Hyndshaw v. Mills | 21 | 2 | 1921–2021 | 1 |
| 132 | sentence hearing | Roberts v. Carlson | 21 | 2 | 1904–2021 | 1 |
| 133 | substance of the requested instruction | State v. Gales | 21 | 2 | 1924–2026 | 3 |
| 134 | vagueness challenge | Papachristou v. City of Jacksonville | 21 | 2 | 1897–2023 | 1 |
| 135 | claimed prejudicial error | Varela v. Fisher Roofing Co., Inc. | 20 | 2 | 1995–2017 | 0 |
| 136 | essence claim | State v. Newman | 20 | 2 | 1895–2024 | 5 |
| 137 | give instruction | Halsted v. Schuetz | 20 | 1 | 1893–2019 | 0 |
| 138 | third-party claim | Church of the Holy Spirit v. Bevco, Inc. | 20 | 2 | 1919–2024 | 2 |
| 139 | two-stage standard | Ornelas v. United States | 20 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 6 |
| 140 | approved instruction | Kortus v. Jensen | 19 | 1 | 1881–2003 | 0 |
| 141 | English rule | Olson v. City of Wahoo | 19 | 1 | 1897–2005 | 0 |
| 142 | evidential error | In Re Interest of JS | 19 | 2 | 1988–2022 | 1 |
| 143 | gave instruction | Dinsmore v. State | 19 | 2 | 1907–2023 | 2 |
| 144 | Miller test | United States v. Various Articles of Obscene Merchandise, Schedule No. 2102 | 19 | 2 | 1975–2024 | 5 |
| 145 | policy defense | de Vries v. L & L Custom Builders | 19 | 2 | 1896–2022 | 4 |
| 146 | presentence hearing | State v. Rose | 19 | 3 | 1969–2025 | 3 |
| 147 | proceedings error | Same v. Same | 19 | 1 | 1881–1987 | 0 |
| 148 | qualified immunity | Williams v. Baird | 19 | 2 | 1931–2020 | 0 |
| 149 | range of vision rule | Bartosh v. Schlautman | 19 | 2 | 1966–2000 | 0 |
| 150 | reasonable doubt instruction | Cage v. Louisiana | 19 | 2 | 1968–2022 | 1 |
Top 150 by distinct citing opinions.