Indiana Code

Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1 (2026)

Rules

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 1. The construction of all statutes of this state shall be by the following rules, unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislature or of the context of the statute:

(1) Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual, sense. Technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.

(2) Words importing joint authority to three (3) or more persons shall be construed as authority to a majority of the persons, unless otherwise declared in the statute giving authority.

(3) Words importing the singular number only may be also applied to the plural of persons and things.

(4) Words importing the masculine gender only may be extended to females also.

(5) When a statute requires an act to be done which, by law, an agent or deputy as well may do as the principal, the requisition is satisfied by the performance of the act by an authorized agent or deputy.

(6) When a person is required to be disinterested or indifferent in acting on any question or matter affecting other parties, consanguinity or affinity within the sixth degree, inclusive, by the civil law rules, or within the degree of second cousin, inclusive, disqualifies the person from acting, except by consent of parties.

Formerly: Acts 1852, 2 RS PART II, c.17, s.1. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.102; Acts 1982, P.L.1, SEC.1; P.L.1-1988, SEC.4; P.L.1-1990, SEC.2; P.L.1-1991, SEC.3.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 128 cases (29 in the last 5 years), 1973–2026 · leading case: Horn v. Hendrickson, 824 N.E.2d 690 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).

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Horn v. Hendrickson, 824 N.E.2d 690 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 8× “denied; see also Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(1). In Bolin, 764 N.E.”

State v. Prater, 922 N.E.2d 746 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 4× “" I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1). The words "with the intent" in Section 35-48-4-14.”

In Re Infant Girl W., 845 N.E.2d 229 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 4× “1995); see also Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1 (providing that "[w]ords importing the singular number only may be also applied to the plural of persons and things").”

Clark v. Hunter, 861 N.E.2d 1202 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 6× “See I.C. § 1-1-4-1. Here, the legislature has made clear its intent regarding the construction of the recodified property law.”

John E. Moriarity & Mae E. Moriarity v. Indiana Dep't of Nat. Resources, 113 N.E.3d 614 (Ind. 2019). · cites it 2× “3d at 587 (citing I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1) (2016 Repl.) ). Here, the DNR based its definition of the word stream on the standard dictionary definition, as the legislature and this Court have instructed.”

Arrion Walton v. State of Indiana, 81 N.E.3d 679 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 6× “See I.C. § 1-1-4-1 (setting forth rules of construction, and noting that “[t]he construction of all statutes of this state shall be by [these] rules, unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislature or of the context of the statute”).”

Doe v. Donahue, 829 N.E.2d 99 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(1). In determining the plain and ordinary meaning of a statutory term, courts may use English language dictionaries as well as consider the relationship with other words and phrases.”

Corr v. Am. Fam. Ins., 767 N.E.2d 535 (Ind. 2002). · cites it 2× “" I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1). "Available" ordinarily means "present or ready for immediate use.”

State v. Hancock, 65 N.E.3d 585 (Ind. 2016). · cites it 2× “See I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1). And in determining the plain and ordinary meaning of a statutory term, courts may consult English language dictionaries.”

White v. State, 756 N.E.2d 1057 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(6) (1998) (emphasis added).”

Vandenburgh v. Vandenburgh, 916 N.E.2d 723 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “" (quoting Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1) 3 There we addressed a statute that said if a county surveyor is registered, "then the county council may increase the salary of one and one half (1 1/2) the base salary by any amount not to exceed $2000.”

Hendricks Cnty. Bank & Trust Co. v. Guthrie Bldg. Materials, Inc., 663 N.E.2d 1180 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 3× “CODE § 1-1-4-1(1). Further, we presume the legislature intended its language to be applied in a logical manner consistent with the statute's underlying policies and goals.”

Show all 128 citing cases →

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(1) — 56 cases

Horn v. Hendrickson, 824 N.E.2d 690 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). “denied; see also Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(1). In Bolin, 764 N.E.”

State v. Prater, 922 N.E.2d 746 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). “" I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1). The words "with the intent" in Section 35-48-4-14.”

John E. Moriarity & Mae E. Moriarity v. Indiana Dep't of Nat. Resources, 113 N.E.3d 614 (Ind. 2019). “3d at 587 (citing I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1) (2016 Repl.) ). Here, the DNR based its definition of the word stream on the standard dictionary definition, as the legislature and this Court have instructed.”

Doe v. Donahue, 829 N.E.2d 99 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). “Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(1). In determining the plain and ordinary meaning of a statutory term, courts may use English language dictionaries as well as consider the relationship with other words and phrases.”

Corr v. Am. Fam. Ins., 767 N.E.2d 535 (Ind. 2002). “" I.C. § 1-1-4-1(1). "Available" ordinarily means "present or ready for immediate use.”

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(2) — 1 case

Varner v. Indiana Parole Bd., 922 N.E.2d 610 (Ind. 2010).

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(3) — 5 cases

Floyd Cnty. & Floyd Cnty. Plan Comm'n v. City of New Albany & New Albany City Plan Comm'n, 1 N.E.3d 207 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).

Arrion Walton v. State of Indiana, 81 N.E.3d 679 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “See I.C. § 1-1-4-1 (setting forth rules of construction, and noting that “[t]he construction of all statutes of this state shall be by [these] rules, unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislature or of the context of the statute”).”

Curley v. Lake Cty Bd. of Elections Regis., 896 N.E.2d 24 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

Alain Kiiwon Powell, Jr. v. State of Indiana (Ind. 2020).

Susan J. Sanders v. U.S. Bank Trust Nat'l Ass'n, As Tr., For ABS Loan Trust VI (Ind. Ct. App. 2025).

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(5) — 1 case

Bibbs v. Newman, 997 F. Supp. 1174 (S.D. Ind. 1998).

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(6) — 1 case

White v. State, 756 N.E.2d 1057 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). “Ind.Code § 1-1-4-1(6) (1998) (emphasis added).”

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(8) — 3 cases

Gaddis v. McCullough, 827 N.E.2d 66 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005).

Town of Dyer v. Town of St. John, 919 N.E.2d 1196 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010).

Medley v. Am. Econ. Ins. Co., 654 N.E.2d 313 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995).

— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-1(c) — 8 cases

Turner v. Bd. of Aviation Commissioners, 743 N.E.2d 1153 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).

Zitlaw v. State, 880 N.E.2d 724 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

Wiggins v. State, 727 N.E.2d 1 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).

Noble Cnty. Bd. of Commissioners v. Fahlsing, 714 N.E.2d 1134 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999).

Gallagher v. State, 906 N.E.2d 272 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).

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