Statutory Interpretation
39 groups with Michigan opinions1860–2026
- Statutory Interpretation Principles and Rules254 opinions · 1901–2026Interpreting statutory intent through plain language rules · Statutory clarity and citizen reliance on law · Interpreting statutes by reading the entire act
- Legislative Intent and Construction230 opinions · 1930–2026Principles of statutory interpretation and legislative intent · Interpreting statutes by plain language and legislative intent · Determining statutory meaning and legislative intent
- Statutory; Language; Meaning153 opinions · 1930–2026Interpreting statutes and common-law terms in legal context · Statutory interpretation requires ambiguity or doubt · Applying the general/specific canon of statutory construction
- Statutory construction; Statutory interpretation; Statutes138 opinions · 1921–2026Reviewing standards for statutory interpretation and error · Review standards for factual findings and statutory interpretation · Reviewing de novo questions of statutory interpretation
- Lenity and Stare Decisis in Construction131 opinions · 1860–2026Reviewing the application of facts to statutory interpretation · Interpreting statutory codification of judicial doctrines · Interpreting statutory language and court rules
- Statutory Interpretation and Meaning97 opinions · 1929–2026Interpreting statutory language through grammatical context and purpose · Interpreting statutory language through context and scheme · Analyzing implied amendment versus statutory revision
- Extrinsic Aids to Legislative Intent81 opinions · 1929–2025Reviewing legislative intent regarding common law abrogation · Interpreting statutory language to determine voter qualifications · Determining if election statutes are mandatory or directory
- Retroactive; Retroactivity; Law79 opinions · 1963–2026Limiting retroactivity of law-changing judicial decisions · Determining prospective versus retroactive application of new law · Limiting prospective application of new legal decisions
- Mandatory vs. Discretionary Statutory Language65 opinions · 1947–2026Reviewing factual findings and statutory construction principles · Interpreting statutory requirements for timely filing of notice · Interpreting statutory language and defining interest
- Statutory Retroactivity and Application57 opinions · 1963–2026Determining legislative intent for retroactive statute application · Determining impermissible retroactive application of legislation · Rejecting retroactive application of substantive rights statutes
- Taxation Law and Exemptions46 opinions · 1924–2025Determining tax exemption for pollution control equipment · Determining recoverability of transmission costs in PSCR clauses · Defining taxable use under statute requires in-state activity
- Statutory Interpretation of Criminal Law45 opinions · 1957–2026Interpreting statutory language regarding victim's fear and anxiety · Distinguishing between using and taking under statute · Interpreting penal statutes without undue strain
- Statutory; Language; Intent39 opinions · 1935–2026Excusing liability by applying statutory purpose doctrine · Defining the common law rule of affinity relationship · Legislature's determination regarding mandatory LWOP application
- Tax; Statutory; Construction28 opinions · 1924–2024Interpreting statutory exemptions from state taxing power · Analyzing revenue generation under specific statutory provisions · Distinguishing taxes from service charges under statutory authority
- Tax; Assessment; Burden28 opinions · 1935–2025Burden of proof and de novo review in tax tribunal proceedings · Upholding retroactive tax amendments correcting legislative error · Analyzing tax as a penalty versus a tax
- Tax; Property; Income27 opinions · 1916–2025Determining order of federal estate tax deduction · Taxing transfers intended to take effect at death · Entitlement to surplus under statute after property sale
- Value; Valuation; Market27 opinions · 1922–2026Valuation process involves judgment and approximation · Determining fair market value using valuation approaches · Determining fair value for public use of property
- Statutory Interpretation and Legislative History26 opinions · 1924–2026Analyzing legislative silence and statutory retroactivity · Examining legislative history to discover intent · Analyzing legislative enactments and judicial repeal of prior rulings
- Ejusdem generis; Meaning; Word26 opinions · 1934–2024Title-object clause: title not indexing all provisions · Analyzing ordinary meaning through quantifiable language tools · Determining meaning of nonlegal terms using lay dictionaries
- Municipal Law and Local Government Powers25 opinions · 1904–2026Interpreting charter provisions using statutory construction rules · Determining state control over property rights in government grants · Interpreting condominium bylaws as a contract
- License; Suspension; Revocation24 opinions · 1975–2025Determining immunity under medical marijuana act sections · Interpreting statutory compliance with evolving regulations · Reviewing local authority over liquor license decisions
- Statutory Interpretation Methodology21 opinions · 1984–2025Interpreting statutory language and legislative purpose
- Vehicle; Driving; License20 opinions · 1984–2026Determining statutory meaning of vehicle ownership use · Defining motor vehicle scope and statutory interpretation · Possession and operation requirements for taking a vehicle
- Real Property Valuation Principles and Methods20 opinions · 1952–2026Determining property value using highest and best use concept · Describing traditional methods of property valuation · Determining property value and usual selling price
- Tax and Tariff Law Review Procedures16 opinions · 1968–2025Determining minimal procedures for refunding exactions · Review standard for errors in tax tribunal valuation · Establishing right to favored tax status
- Income; Tax purposes; Apportionment12 opinions · 1958–2023Defining unitary business and formula apportionment methods · Determining income recognition for cash-basis taxpayers · Defining gross income and taxable gains broadly
- Property; Valuation; Assessment11 opinions · 1912–2022Tribunal's authority to determine property value and obsolescence · Determining just compensation for public utility property use · Statutory interpretation of property valuation for airport fees
- Charitable; Tax exemption; Public charity8 opinions · 1976–2024Defining charitable institution and its charging authority · Dissenting opinion on charitable deduction timing · Defining the scope of charitable relief exemption
- Death; Statutory; Estate8 opinions · 1987–2024Interpreting statutory cause of action for death · Distinction between limitation and survival statutes for dissolved corporations · Interpreting statutory rights to options upon death
- Tax; Evasion; Fraud6 opinions · 1973–2022Fraudulent receipt of tax credits as tax evasion · Establishing grounds for probable cause in tax evasion cases
- Meetings; Open; Executive session5 opinions · 1979–1993Defining the scope of recall petition reasons
- Substance; Form; Tax5 opinions · 1948–2023Substance over form in determining tax liability · Determining statutory intent over tax motive in corporate transactions · Determining investment versus ordinary transaction purpose
- Determining reasonable compensation and deductibility of expenses
- Leaving open question of delay in timetable requirement · Interpreting statutory time periods as calendar days
- Distinguishing dangerousness from public danger in possession · Determining the nature of property rights in dogs
- Taxability of illegal income and reasonable doubt
- Admissibility of market reports for property valuation
- Determining whether delinquent taxes bear interest by statute
- Habeas court power to order expungement and reprosecution
Counts are Michigan courts’ opinions citing pages in each group (an opinion citing two issues counts in both).
How this is built: each issue is a set of opinion pages that later courts cite for the same proposition, grouped from what the citing courts wrote. Names are machine-written from those citations; read the cases before relying on them. Search case law