The doctrines South Carolina 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 | Stoney v. SR | 293 | 2 | 1982–2026 | 107 |
| 2 | affirmative defense | Whitehead v. State | 269 | 2 | 1901–2026 | 29 |
| 3 | harmless error | Chapman v. California | 225 | 2 | 1977–2026 | 59 |
| 4 | due process clause | State v. Cheeseboro | 214 | 2 | 1905–2026 | 23 |
| 5 | PCR hearing | Strickland v. Washington | 175 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 31 |
| 6 | fundamental rule | Lindsay v. Lindsay | 165 | 2 | 1911–2026 | 25 |
| 7 | Miranda warning | Miranda v. Arizona | 125 | 2 | 1972–2026 | 19 |
| 8 | hearsay rule | State v. Burdette | 124 | 2 | 1929–2026 | 14 |
| 9 | de novo standard | Stoney v. SR | 106 | 2 | 1983–2026 | 39 |
| 10 | reasonable doubt error | State v. Kerr | 103 | 2 | 1976–2026 | 25 |
| 11 | equal protection clause | Grant v. South Carolina Coastal Council | 98 | 2 | 1918–2025 | 7 |
| 12 | Batson violation | State v. Haigler | 91 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 7 |
| 13 | commission of legal error | State v. Mansfield | 90 | 2 | 1942–2025 | 9 |
| 14 | preponderance of the evidence standard | State v. Curry | 83 | 2 | 1909–2026 | 23 |
| 15 | warrant requirement | State v. Wright | 83 | 2 | 1978–2026 | 8 |
| 16 | scrcp motion | Noisette v. Ismail | 81 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 11 |
| 17 | Fourth Amendment violation | State v. Baccus | 79 | 2 | 1976–2025 | 2 |
| 18 | two-issue rule | Jones v. Lott | 74 | 2 | 1985–2026 | 13 |
| 19 | plain meaning rule | Hodges v. Rainey | 71 | 2 | 1997–2026 | 15 |
| 20 | jnov motion | Burns v. Universal Health Services, Inc. | 65 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 22 |
| 21 | res judicata doctrine | Plum Creek Development Co. v. City of Conway | 65 | 2 | 1907–2025 | 7 |
| 22 | defendant must show both error | State v. Stanley | 64 | 2 | 2002–2026 | 10 |
| 23 | exclusionary rule | Davis v. United States | 64 | 2 | 1958–2026 | 8 |
| 24 | knowing and intelligent waiver | State v. Dixon | 64 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 8 |
| 25 | parol evidence rule | Gilliland v. Elmwood Properties | 60 | 2 | 1924–2025 | 5 |
| 26 | Brady violation | Gibson v. State | 59 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 11 |
| 27 | insubstantial error | State v. Bailey | 59 | 2 | 2003–2026 | 9 |
| 28 | arbitrability claim | Zabinski v. Bright Acres Associates | 57 | 2 | 1999–2026 | 35 |
| 29 | double jeopardy clause | Blockburger v. United States | 57 | 2 | 1970–2025 | 4 |
| 30 | scheme or plan exception | State v. McClellan | 55 | 2 | 1993–2025 | 5 |
| 31 | confrontation clause | Delaware v. Van Arsdall | 53 | 2 | 1988–2026 | 7 |
| 32 | per se rule | State v. Simmons | 53 | 2 | 1985–2023 | 3 |
| 33 | bench bar | Langley v. Boyter | 52 | 2 | 1914–2026 | 1 |
| 34 | fails rule | I'On, L.L.C. v. Town of Mt. Pleasant | 52 | 2 | 2005–2026 | 15 |
| 35 | law of the case doctrine | Judy v. Martin | 52 | 2 | 1995–2025 | 14 |
| 36 | Strickland test | Strickland v. Washington | 50 | 2 | 1987–2025 | 12 |
| 37 | estoppel doctrine | Powell v. Board of Com'rs of Police Insurance & Annuity Fund of State | 49 | 2 | 1846–2022 | 1 |
| 38 | camera hearing | State v. Simmons | 47 | 2 | 1984–2023 | 1 |
| 39 | laches doctrine | Chambers of South Carolina, Inc. v. County Council | 47 | 2 | 1939–2025 | 5 |
| 40 | thirteenth juror doctrine | Folkens Ex Rel. Estate of McLendon v. Hunt | 47 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 6 |
| 41 | ex post facto violation | Jernigan v. State | 46 | 2 | 1989–2023 | 4 |
| 42 | probation revocation hearing | Anders v. California | 46 | 2 | 1981–2023 | 3 |
| 43 | witness test | State v. Gracely | 45 | 2 | 1930–2025 | 5 |
| 44 | Respondents motion | Futch v. McAllister Towing of Georgetown, Inc. | 44 | 2 | 1933–2025 | 19 |
| 45 | sound principle | Clark v. Cantrell | 44 | 2 | 1942–2026 | 7 |
| 46 | statute of limitations defense | Davis v. Lunceford | 44 | 2 | 1922–2025 | 8 |
| 47 | knowing and voluntary waiver | State v. Ray | 43 | 2 | 1992–2025 | 6 |
| 48 | sovereign immunity | McCall v. Batson | 42 | 2 | 1955–2025 | 3 |
| 49 | collateral estoppel doctrine | Beall v. Doe | 41 | 2 | 1983–2025 | 8 |
| 50 | excited utterance exception | State v. Sims | 41 | 2 | 1998–2026 | 8 |
| 51 | mootness doctrine | Curtis v. State | 41 | 2 | 1996–2024 | 12 |
| 52 | separation of powers doctrine | State Ex Rel. Schneider v. Bennett | 39 | 2 | 1975–2026 | 4 |
| 53 | Fifth Amendment privilege | Miranda v. Arizona | 38 | 2 | 1976–2026 | 3 |
| 54 | rational basis test | Denene, Inc. v. City of Charleston | 37 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 7 |
| 55 | fair opportunity rule | Herron v. CENTURY BMW | 35 | 2 | 2010–2026 | 17 |
| 56 | public importance exception | ATC South, Inc. v. Charleston County | 35 | 2 | 2004–2025 | 10 |
| 57 | granting clause | Stylecraft, Inc. v. Thomas | 34 | 2 | 1907–2025 | 2 |
| 58 | public policy exception | Ludwick v. This Minute of Carolina, Inc. | 34 | 2 | 1925–2025 | 1 |
| 59 | sentence clause | McGill v. Moore | 33 | 2 | 1975–2025 | 4 |
| 60 | collateral source rule | W.B. Easton Construction Co. v. Gregory | 32 | 2 | 1967–2025 | 4 |
| 61 | defendant must show error | State v. Harris | 32 | 2 | 1998–2026 | 10 |
| 62 | Husband motion | Lewis v. Lewis | 32 | 2 | 1963–2026 | 8 |
| 63 | overriding rule | McCall v. Finley | 32 | 2 | 1986–2023 | 3 |
| 64 | qualified privilege | Swinton Creek Nursery v. Edisto Farm Credit | 32 | 2 | 1958–2025 | 2 |
| 65 | totality of the circumstances analysis | State v. Moses | 32 | 2 | 1985–2023 | 4 |
| 66 | commission of prejudicial legal error | State v. Moore | 31 | 2 | 1995–2024 | 6 |
| 67 | prima facie presumption | Swinton Creek Nursery v. Edisto Farm Credit | 31 | 2 | 1907–2026 | 6 |
| 68 | appellant of demonstrating error | Lewis v. Lewis | 30 | 2 | 2012–2026 | 1 |
| 69 | jury a curative instruction | State v. George | 30 | 2 | 1992–2025 | 6 |
| 70 | manifest error | Welch v. Epstein | 30 | 2 | 1946–2025 | 2 |
| 71 | record establishes error | State v. Pickens | 30 | 2 | 1996–2022 | 3 |
| 72 | burden of showing error | Lewis v. Lewis | 29 | 2 | 1977–2023 | 4 |
| 73 | Lyle exception | State v. Lyle | 29 | 2 | 1984–2023 | 3 |
| 74 | paramount rule | Taylor v. Lindsey | 29 | 2 | 1960–2026 | 4 |
| 75 | plain error | Jackson v. Speed | 29 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 4 |
| 76 | plain view doctrine | State v. Wright | 29 | 2 | 1983–2023 | 5 |
| 77 | public duty rule | Jensen Ex Rel. Estate of Clark v. Anderson County Department of Social Services | 29 | 2 | 1988–2023 | 3 |
| 78 | South Carolina rule | Bloom v. Ravoira | 29 | 2 | 1927–2023 | 4 |
| 79 | attorney-client privilege | State v. Love | 28 | 2 | 1977–2024 | 4 |
| 80 | automobile exception | State v. Weaver | 28 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 4 |
| 81 | good faith exception | United States v. Leon | 28 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 6 |
| 82 | legal malpractice claim | Rydde v. Morris | 28 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 2 |
| 83 | proceeding for contempt violation | Hawkins v. Mullins | 28 | 1 | 1994–2026 | 7 |
| 84 | taking analysis | Benton Ex Rel. Benton v. Pellum | 28 | 2 | 1957–2025 | 1 |
| 85 | voluntary waiver | State v. Rochester | 28 | 2 | 1979–2026 | 4 |
| 86 | complaint states any valid claim | Doe v. Marion | 27 | 2 | 1998–2025 | 6 |
| 87 | damages hearing | Howard v. Holiday Inns, Inc. | 27 | 2 | 1988–2026 | 9 |
| 88 | factual allegations underlying claim | Zabinski v. Bright Acres Associates | 27 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 6 |
| 89 | scintilla rule | Nat'l Bank of Honea Path v. Barrett Co. | 27 | 2 | 1931–2014 | 0 |
| 90 | commits reversible error | State v. Hill | 26 | 2 | 1989–2014 | 0 |
| 91 | exact error | State v. Johnson | 26 | 2 | 2005–2024 | 2 |
| 92 | Jones factors | State v. Council | 26 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 7 |
| 93 | probable cause hearing | In Re the Care & Treatment of Matthews | 26 | 2 | 2001–2025 | 5 |
| 94 | TPR hearing | DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERV. v. Headden | 26 | 2 | 2006–2025 | 9 |
| 95 | pro se defense | Wroten v. State | 25 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 4 |
| 96 | res gestae exception | State v. Long | 25 | 2 | 1930–2021 | 1 |
| 97 | civil conspiracy claim | Todd v. South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance | 24 | 2 | 2005–2025 | 10 |
| 98 | clear and convincing standard | Santosky v. Kramer | 24 | 2 | 1985–2026 | 6 |
| 99 | exigent circumstances doctrine | State v. Herring | 24 | 2 | 1986–2023 | 4 |
| 100 | fifteen factors | Cooper v. South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services | 24 | 1 | 2007–2026 | 12 |
| 101 | jury charge for alleged error | Welch v. Epstein | 24 | 2 | 2002–2025 | 3 |
| 102 | self-defense instruction | State v. Fuller | 24 | 2 | 1923–2025 | 3 |
| 103 | Alford plea | Anders v. California | 23 | 2 | 2005–2024 | 5 |
| 104 | APA standard | Corbin v. Kohler Co. | 23 | 2 | 2002–2020 | 0 |
| 105 | gross negligence standard | Steinke v. SC DEPT. OF LABOR, LICENSING | 23 | 2 | 1992–2025 | 4 |
| 106 | alibi defense | Glover v. State | 22 | 2 | 1974–2023 | 4 |
| 107 | cumulative error | State v. Beekman | 22 | 2 | 2005–2026 | 6 |
| 108 | defendant has a meritorious defense | Sundown Operating Co. v. Intedge Industries, Inc. | 22 | 2 | 1997–2026 | 5 |
| 109 | exclusion defense | Holmes v. South Carolina | 22 | 2 | 1937–2025 | 5 |
| 110 | judicial estoppel doctrine | Cothran v. Brown | 22 | 2 | 1997–2021 | 1 |
| 111 | knowledge exception | Sharpe Ex Rel. Estate of Sharpe v. South Carolina Department of Mental Health | 22 | 2 | 1980–2025 | 5 |
| 112 | malice standard | Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. v. Connaughton | 22 | 2 | 1978–2024 | 4 |
| 113 | Blockburger test | Grady v. Corbin | 21 | 2 | 1990–2021 | 1 |
| 114 | existence of a meritorious defense | Mictronics, Inc. v. South Carolina Department of Revenue | 21 | 2 | 1985–2025 | 4 |
| 115 | fact-specific inquiry | State v. Rowlands | 21 | 2 | 2000–2026 | 9 |
| 116 | faith and credit clause | Hamilton v. Patterson | 21 | 2 | 1923–2018 | 0 |
| 117 | Father motion | Stoney v. SR | 21 | 2 | 1936–2025 | 8 |
| 118 | Franks hearing | State v. Missouri | 21 | 2 | 1999–2026 | 4 |
| 119 | ineffective assistance claim | Strickland v. Washington | 21 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 10 |
| 120 | jury charge error | State v. Tucker | 21 | 2 | 1981–2026 | 5 |
| 121 | of review standard | Felts v. Richland County | 21 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 2 |
| 122 | Smith motion | State v. Kelsey | 21 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 6 |
| 123 | view instruction | Pullman Co. v. Public Service Commission | 21 | 1 | 1884–2013 | 0 |
| 124 | waiver of the alleged error | South Carolina Department of Transportation v. First Carolina Corp. | 21 | 2 | 1965–2025 | 6 |
| 125 | business judgment rule | DOCKSIDE ASSO., INC. v. Detyens | 20 | 2 | 1995–2025 | 3 |
| 126 | case-by-case analysis | Birchfield v. N. Dakota. William Robert Bernard | 20 | 2 | 1984–2020 | 0 |
| 127 | charitable immunity | Brown Ex Rel. Estate of Brown v. Anderson County Hospital Ass'n | 20 | 2 | 1966–2025 | 2 |
| 128 | contested case hearing | Reliance Insurance v. Smith | 20 | 2 | 1997–2023 | 2 |
| 129 | corollary rule | Small v. Pioneer MacHinery, Inc. | 20 | 2 | 1907–2020 | 0 |
| 130 | Doyle violation | State v. Pickens | 20 | 2 | 1984–2023 | 3 |
| 131 | evidence warrants instruction | Hopper v. Evans | 20 | 2 | 1985–2023 | 2 |
| 132 | fact-intensive inquiry | State v. Kerr | 20 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 8 |
| 133 | Glasscock factors | Glasscock v. Glasscock | 20 | 2 | 2004–2023 | 3 |
| 134 | Jackson v. Denno hearing | Jackson v. Denno | 20 | 2 | 1992–2021 | 1 |
| 135 | medical malpractice claim | Hoffman Ex Rel. Estate of Hoffman v. Powell | 20 | 2 | 1993–2024 | 2 |
| 136 | object test | Washington v. Muse | 20 | 2 | 1910–2024 | 2 |
| 137 | offended party challenge | Lindsay v. Lindsay | 20 | 1 | 1997–2025 | 5 |
| 138 | poisonous tree doctrine | State v. Copeland | 20 | 2 | 1981–2026 | 4 |
| 139 | quantum meruit claim | Earthscapes Unlimited, Inc. v. Ulbrich | 20 | 2 | 1926–2024 | 3 |
| 140 | respondeat superior doctrine | Williams v. Bebbington | 20 | 2 | 1923–2026 | 1 |
| 141 | scope of the arbitration clause | Zabinski v. Bright Acres Associates | 20 | 2 | 1993–2021 | 1 |
| 142 | Terry stop | Terry v. Ohio | 20 | 2 | 1996–2022 | 1 |
| 143 | breach standard | Harris Teeter, Inc. v. Moore & Van Allen, PLLC | 19 | 2 | 1907–2024 | 3 |
| 144 | elementary principle | Pennoyer v. Neff | 19 | 2 | 1907–2018 | 0 |
| 145 | has recognized rule | Nat'l Bank of Honea Path v. Barrett Co. | 19 | 2 | 1906–2021 | 1 |
| 146 | judge addressed factors | Jenkins v. Jenkins | 19 | 1 | 1988–2017 | 0 |
| 147 | master rule | Bunkum v. Manor Properties | 19 | 2 | 1963–2025 | 8 |
| 148 | merger clause | Klutts Resort Realty, Inc. v. Down'Round Development Corp. | 19 | 2 | 1981–2025 | 7 |
| 149 | Mother motion | Varn v. Green | 19 | 2 | 1950–2025 | 5 |
| 150 | party claiming waiver | Janasik v. Fairway Oaks Villas Horizontal Property Regime | 19 | 2 | 1992–2019 | 0 |
Top 150 by distinct citing opinions.