The doctrines Vermont 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. Pelican | 219 | 2 | 1978–2026 | 36 |
| 2 | due process clause | Santosky v. Kramer | 142 | 2 | 1934–2026 | 24 |
| 3 | affirmative defense | State v. Baker | 139 | 2 | 1923–2026 | 18 |
| 4 | fair opportunity rule | State v. Ben-Mont Corporation | 137 | 2 | 1974–2026 | 55 |
| 5 | fundamental rule | Mathews v. Eldridge | 120 | 2 | 1844–2026 | 15 |
| 6 | Miranda warning | Miranda v. Arizona | 107 | 2 | 1970–2026 | 6 |
| 7 | de novo hearing | In Re Poole | 96 | 2 | 1969–2026 | 16 |
| 8 | Vermont rule | Drumheller v. Drumheller | 88 | 2 | 1976–2026 | 9 |
| 9 | failure to recognize error | State v. Pelican | 79 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 11 |
| 10 | abuse of discretion standard | In re Richard H. Joyce | 76 | 2 | 1964–2026 | 16 |
| 11 | sovereign immunity | LaShay v. Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services | 74 | 2 | 1964–2025 | 14 |
| 12 | mootness doctrine | In re P.S. | 71 | 2 | 1978–2025 | 14 |
| 13 | exclusionary rule | State v. Oakes | 70 | 2 | 1925–2026 | 3 |
| 14 | spirit doctrine | Fassett v. Town of Roxbury | 66 | 2 | 1883–2025 | 5 |
| 15 | Fifth Amendment privilege | Miranda v. Arizona | 61 | 2 | 1979–2026 | 3 |
| 16 | qualified immunity | Murray v. White | 60 | 2 | 1974–2026 | 11 |
| 17 | harmless error | State v. Hamlin | 59 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 6 |
| 18 | Quechee test | In Re Appeal of Times & Seasons, LLC | 58 | 2 | 2006–2025 | 9 |
| 19 | compelling indication error | Wood v. Fletcher Allen Health Care | 57 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 6 |
| 20 | litigation claim | Berlin Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Stoneman | 54 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 20 |
| 21 | per se rule | Nickerson v. Nickerson | 53 | 2 | 1981–2025 | 6 |
| 22 | warrant requirement | State v. Savva | 53 | 2 | 1982–2023 | 3 |
| 23 | standing doctrine | Hinesburg Sand & Gravel Co. v. State | 51 | 2 | 1909–2026 | 20 |
| 24 | equal protection clause | In Re Estate of Eddy | 48 | 2 | 1928–2024 | 3 |
| 25 | hearsay rule | Downs v. Downs | 48 | 2 | 1921–2026 | 8 |
| 26 | res judicata doctrine | Berlin Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Stoneman | 47 | 2 | 1923–2025 | 6 |
| 27 | record searching error | In re S.B.L. | 43 | 1 | 2008–2026 | 26 |
| 28 | best-interests analysis | In re J.B. | 40 | 1 | 2001–2026 | 19 |
| 29 | zoning violation | Town of Sherburne v. Carpenter | 40 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 6 |
| 30 | collateral challenge | State v. Austin | 36 | 2 | 1971–2026 | 7 |
| 31 | successive-application doctrine | In Re Application of Carrier | 36 | 2 | 2006–2026 | 2 |
| 32 | Town motion | Callahan v. Callahan | 36 | 2 | 1910–2026 | 8 |
| 33 | unjust enrichment doctrine | Kellogg v. Shushereba | 36 | 2 | 1914–2026 | 17 |
| 34 | economic loss rule | Springfield Hydroelectric Co. v. Copp | 35 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 14 |
| 35 | collateral estoppel doctrine | Scott v. City of Newport | 34 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 1 |
| 36 | iied claim | Fromson v. State | 34 | 2 | 2002–2026 | 15 |
| 37 | minority rule | Smith v. Winhall Planning Commission | 33 | 2 | 1940–2025 | 3 |
| 38 | Fourth Amendment analysis | United States v. Drayton | 31 | 2 | 1971–2024 | 5 |
| 39 | glaring error | State v. Morrill | 31 | 1 | 1973–2025 | 2 |
| 40 | ineffective assistance of counsel claim | Strickland v. Washington | 31 | 2 | 1989–2025 | 7 |
| 41 | plain meaning rule | Hill v. Conway | 31 | 2 | 1980–2026 | 4 |
| 42 | applicant hearing | Appeal of Farrell & Desautels, Inc. | 30 | 2 | 1961–2025 | 4 |
| 43 | probation revocation hearing | State v. Austin | 30 | 1 | 1986–2025 | 3 |
| 44 | clear and convincing evidence standard | In Re NH | 29 | 1 | 1983–2026 | 4 |
| 45 | discretionary function exception | United States v. Gaubert | 29 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 7 |
| 46 | legally cognizable claim | Darryl R. Montague v. Hundred Acre Homestead, LLC | 29 | 2 | 2019–2026 | 28 |
| 47 | parol evidence rule | Lunnie v. Gadapee | 29 | 2 | 1916–2026 | 2 |
| 48 | American rule | Dj Painting, Inc. v. Baraw Enterprises, Inc. | 28 | 2 | 1877–2025 | 1 |
| 49 | knowing and intelligent waiver | State v. Stanislaw | 28 | 2 | 1975–2026 | 3 |
| 50 | highly deferential standard | Hanson-Metayer v. Hanson-Metayer | 27 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 4 |
| 51 | insanity defense | State v. Bean | 27 | 1 | 1964–2022 | 3 |
| 52 | motor vehicle violation | State v. Rutter | 27 | 2 | 1987–2020 | 0 |
| 53 | showing error | State v. Ayers | 27 | 2 | 1987–2020 | 0 |
| 54 | circumstances factors | State v. King | 26 | 2 | 1913–2026 | 6 |
| 55 | confrontation clause | State v. Sprague | 26 | 1 | 1984–2018 | 0 |
| 56 | first prong test | In Re Pernicka | 26 | 2 | 1988–2025 | 6 |
| 57 | speedy trial violation | Doggett v. United States | 26 | 1 | 1984–2024 | 5 |
| 58 | Terry stop | State v. Chapman | 26 | 1 | 1982–2019 | 0 |
| 59 | flexible standard | 985 Associates, Ltd. v. Daewoo Electronics America, Inc. | 25 | 2 | 1993–2026 | 4 |
| 60 | reasonable doubt standard | Beck v. Alabama | 25 | 2 | 1899–2026 | 1 |
| 61 | separation of powers doctrine | In re D.L. | 25 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 3 |
| 62 | DUI defendant | State v. Garvey | 24 | 1 | 1991–2024 | 1 |
| 63 | owner claim | P.F. Jurgs & Co. v. O'Brien | 24 | 2 | 1877–2026 | 6 |
| 64 | statute of limitations defense | Fortier v. Byrnes | 24 | 2 | 1996–2025 | 6 |
| 65 | Daubert factors | Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 23 | 2 | 2000–2026 | 5 |
| 66 | First Amendment claim | In Re Sealed Documents | 23 | 2 | 1980–2025 | 2 |
| 67 | party claiming error | Eccomunity, Inc. v. Lussier | 23 | 2 | 1984–2026 | 3 |
| 68 | double jeopardy claim | State v. Grega | 22 | 1 | 1980–2024 | 1 |
| 69 | McDonnell Douglas framework | McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green | 22 | 2 | 1979–2026 | 11 |
| 70 | preponderance of the evidence standard | In Re Grievance of Muzzy | 22 | 2 | 1983–2021 | 1 |
| 71 | totality of the circumstances analysis | State v. DeMarco | 22 | 1 | 1987–2023 | 3 |
| 72 | Barker factors | Barker v. Wingo | 21 | 2 | 1983–2025 | 5 |
| 73 | burden-shifting analysis | McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green | 21 | 2 | 1982–2025 | 5 |
| 74 | exhaustion requirement | Stone v. Errecart | 21 | 2 | 1986–2025 | 4 |
| 75 | good faith exception | State v. Oakes | 21 | 2 | 1986–2023 | 1 |
| 76 | preponderance standard | Strickland v. Washington | 21 | 2 | 1983–2023 | 1 |
| 77 | rational basis test | Alexander v. Town of Barton | 21 | 2 | 1980–2023 | 3 |
| 78 | English rule | Sundowner, Inc. v. King | 20 | 1 | 1844–2008 | 0 |
| 79 | equitable estoppel doctrine | My Sister's Place v. City of Burlington | 20 | 2 | 1895–2026 | 2 |
| 80 | finality rule | In Re Pyramid Co. of Burlington | 20 | 2 | 1987–2026 | 5 |
| 81 | probable cause standard | State v. Towne | 20 | 1 | 1971–2020 | 0 |
| 82 | Strickland standard | Strickland v. Washington | 20 | 2 | 1992–2026 | 2 |
| 83 | case or controversy requirement | Parker v. Town of Milton | 19 | 2 | 1997–2026 | 6 |
| 84 | law of the case doctrine | Morrisseau v. Fayette | 19 | 2 | 1977–2026 | 5 |
| 85 | negligent misrepresentation claim | Silva v. Stevens | 19 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 4 |
| 86 | promissory estoppel doctrine | Foote v. Simmonds Precision Products Co. | 19 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 10 |
| 87 | Restatement rule | Carole Kuligoski, Individually and on behalf of Michael J. Kuligoski, and Mark Kuligoski and James M. Kuligoski v. Evan M. Rapoza, John E. Rapoza, Anne M. Rapoza, John A. Rapoza and Christine M. Rapoza | 19 | 2 | 1991–2026 | 5 |
| 88 | second prong test | James Ingerson v. Andrew Pallito, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections and Leanne Salls | 19 | 2 | 1988–2024 | 3 |
| 89 | admissibility standard | Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 18 | 1 | 1980–2023 | 1 |
| 90 | lack hearing | Jewell v. Dyer | 18 | 2 | 1977–2025 | 4 |
| 91 | necessity defense | State v. Shotton | 18 | 1 | 1909–2011 | 0 |
| 92 | respondeat superior doctrine | Brueckner v. Norwich University | 18 | 2 | 1890–2025 | 3 |
| 93 | showing of plain error | State v. Marku | 18 | 1 | 1988–2025 | 2 |
| 94 | statutory best-interests factors | In re J.B. | 18 | 1 | 2008–2025 | 6 |
| 95 | strength of evidence hearing | Raynes v. Rogers | 18 | 1 | 2008–2026 | 7 |
| 96 | warrant and probable-cause requirement | State v. Berard | 18 | 1 | 1988–2023 | 1 |
| 97 | benefits claim | Baker v. State | 17 | 2 | 1999–2026 | 9 |
| 98 | best-interest factors | In re B.M. | 17 | 2 | 2014–2026 | 5 |
| 99 | case under the same standard | Tarrant v. Department of Taxes | 17 | 1 | 1999–2024 | 1 |
| 100 | consumer fraud claim | Jordan v. Nissan North America, Inc. | 17 | 2 | 1993–2025 | 5 |
| 101 | corollary rule | State v. Ritter | 17 | 2 | 1913–2025 | 4 |
| 102 | ex post facto violation | California Department of Corrections v. Morales | 17 | 2 | 2008–2024 | 3 |
| 103 | finding of plain error | State v. Ayers | 17 | 2 | 1990–2026 | 3 |
| 104 | generally accepted rule | State Ex Rel. Billado v. Control Commissioners | 17 | 2 | 1905–2024 | 1 |
| 105 | inflexible rule | In Re Application of Carrier | 17 | 2 | 1923–2026 | 3 |
| 106 | invited error | State v. Longe | 17 | 2 | 1999–2025 | 5 |
| 107 | limitation clause | State v. Vandemark | 17 | 2 | 1881–2024 | 1 |
| 108 | modification hearing | In Re SR | 17 | 1 | 1984–2024 | 3 |
| 109 | purposes claim | Hill v. Grandey | 17 | 2 | 1916–2024 | 1 |
| 110 | void-for-vagueness doctrine | State v. Cantrell | 17 | 1 | 1989–2020 | 0 |
| 111 | availability requirement | Willard v. Vermont Unemployment Compensation Commission | 16 | 2 | 1963–2024 | 2 |
| 112 | Blockburger test | State v. Grega | 16 | 1 | 1998–2024 | 3 |
| 113 | claim preclusion doctrine | Faulkner v. Caledonia County Fair Ass'n | 16 | 2 | 1989–2026 | 6 |
| 114 | CPA claim | Greene v. Stevens Gas Service | 16 | 2 | 2015–2026 | 10 |
| 115 | excusable neglect standard | In Re Lund | 16 | 2 | 1989–2025 | 4 |
| 116 | pleading standard | Bock v. Gold | 16 | 2 | 2008–2026 | 9 |
| 117 | prima facie claim | Fromson v. State | 16 | 2 | 1849–2026 | 5 |
| 118 | public policy exception | Payne v. Rozendaal | 16 | 2 | 1986–2026 | 2 |
| 119 | statutory or contractual exception | Dj Painting, Inc. v. Baraw Enterprises, Inc. | 16 | 2 | 2001–2026 | 4 |
| 120 | bail hearing | State v. Passino | 15 | 1 | 1995–2026 | 3 |
| 121 | carefully limited exception | United States v. Salerno | 15 | 1 | 1989–2022 | 2 |
| 122 | consequences waiver | State v. Pollard | 15 | 1 | 1848–2017 | 0 |
| 123 | divorce hearing | Hayden v. Hayden | 15 | 1 | 1987–2025 | 2 |
| 124 | evidentiary breath test | State v. Fredette | 15 | 1 | 1998–2026 | 2 |
| 125 | factual basis claim | Alpstetten Ass'n, Inc. v. Kelly | 15 | 2 | 1978–2026 | 3 |
| 126 | implied waiver | Anderson v. Worden | 15 | 2 | 1940–2024 | 3 |
| 127 | Legislature inquiry | Wesco, Inc. v. Sorrell | 15 | 2 | 2002–2025 | 7 |
| 128 | minimum contacts test | Laura Canaday v. The Anthem Companies, Inc. | 15 | 2 | 1979–2026 | 6 |
| 129 | policy claim | Doria v. University of Vermont | 15 | 2 | 1899–2024 | 1 |
| 130 | state waives its sovereign immunity | Denis Bail Bonds, Inc. v. State | 15 | 2 | 1993–2025 | 1 |
| 131 | changed circumstances test | In Re HA | 14 | 2 | 1988–2025 | 3 |
| 132 | clear and convincing standard | State v. Aaron Lontine | 14 | 2 | 1986–2024 | 3 |
| 133 | commerce clause | Champlain Realty Co. v. Town of Brattleboro | 14 | 2 | 1916–2024 | 2 |
| 134 | custody inquiry | J. D. B. v. North Carolina | 14 | 2 | 1990–2025 | 1 |
| 135 | estoppel doctrine | Provident Savings Life Assurance Society v. Cannon | 14 | 2 | 1902–2024 | 2 |
| 136 | first step analysis | In Re HA | 14 | 2 | 1993–2017 | 0 |
| 137 | interpretation rule | Rule v. Tobin | 14 | 2 | 1915–2023 | 2 |
| 138 | legal malpractice claim | Knott v. Pratt | 14 | 2 | 1992–2025 | 2 |
| 139 | rigorous standard | Butz v. Economou | 14 | 1 | 1980–2026 | 2 |
| 140 | stop inquiry | State v. Ford | 14 | 1 | 1985–2016 | 0 |
| 141 | Stowe Club Highlands test | In Re Hildebrand | 14 | 2 | 2009–2025 | 2 |
| 142 | adverse effect test | In Re Appeal of Miller | 13 | 2 | 1999–2022 | 1 |
| 143 | Applicants motion | In Re Appeal of JAM Golf, LLC | 13 | 1 | 2006–2014 | 0 |
| 144 | branch doctrine | State v. Longe | 13 | 2 | 1871–2025 | 4 |
| 145 | case falls within exception | Nolles v. State Committee for the Reorganization of School Districts | 13 | 2 | 1853–2023 | 1 |
| 146 | civil suspension hearing | State v. Lussier | 13 | 2 | 1997–2022 | 1 |
| 147 | form instruction | United States v. Andrew Tsanas | 13 | 2 | 1975–2026 | 1 |
| 148 | party invoking doctrine | Fisher v. Poole | 13 | 2 | 1990–2025 | 1 |
| 149 | PCR challenge | State v. Bristol | 13 | 2 | 1997–2025 | 5 |
| 150 | permanency hearing | In re T.T. | 13 | 1 | 2001–2024 | 4 |
Top 150 by distinct citing opinions.