Topic: we can only administer the law as it is written. · Go Syfert
← All topics

Topic #21744

3 canonical passages across 3 cases, quoted by 19 opinions in total. These passages cluster together because the same opinions keep quoting them side by side: they state parts of one doctrine. The anchor passage is from Coalter v. Bargamin.

#Case FlagCanonical passage Citers
1 Coalter v. Bargamin Anchor
va · 1901
green “we can only administer the law as it is written.” 10
2 Franklin & Pittsylvania Railway Co. v. Shoemaker
va · 1931
green “simply because it may seem to us that a similar policy applies, or upon the speculation that if the legislature had thought of it, very likely broader words would have been used.” 6
3 City of Charlottesville v. DeHaan
va · 1984
green “the 'best indications of public policy are to be found in the enactments of the legislature.” 3

A red or yellow flag on a member means the underlying case has negative treatment: for those, check the case page before relying on the passage.

← Caselaw search · Hot / Trending / Newly red · Brief Check