Statutory Interpretation
42 groups with Rhode Island opinions1880–2026
- Statutory construction; Statutory interpretation; Statutes340 opinions · 1939–2026Harmonizing similar statutes to avoid absurd results · Interpreting statutes and standards of review · Statutory construction and court review authority
- Legislative Intent and Construction319 opinions · 1973–2026Interpreting statutes to find legislative purpose · Interpreting statutes to determine legislative intent · Applying statutory construction canons to legislative intent
- Statutory Interpretation Principles and Rules249 opinions · 1972–2026Statutory interpretation of clear and unambiguous language · Interpreting statutes to avoid absurd results · Interpreting statutory language as clear or ambiguous
- Statutory; Language; Meaning154 opinions · 1972–2026Interpreting statutes as in pari materia and implied repeal · Determining statutory intent through context and meaning · Interpreting statutory terms and canons of construction
- Extrinsic Aids to Legislative Intent112 opinions · 1972–2025Interpreting legislative intent regarding statutory repeal and remedies · Recognizing legislative intent against unjust results · Legislature's presumed knowledge when amending statutes
- Lenity and Stare Decisis in Construction104 opinions · 1973–2026Review scope on certiorari and statutory interpretation · Interpreting ambiguous statutory language under lenity · Analyzing mandatory statute compliance and declaratory judgment discretion
- Mandatory vs. Discretionary Statutory Language100 opinions · 1975–2026Reviewing subject matter jurisdiction and statutory interpretation · Interpreting statutory power to dismiss disciplinary charges · Interpreting statutory language and commission authority
- Statutory Interpretation Methodology84 opinions · 1976–2026Interpreting statutory language and legislative intent
- Municipal Law and Local Government Powers83 opinions · 1980–2026Interpreting municipal ordinances and statutory construction standards · Determining standard of review and applying condominium act · Reviewing statutory interpretation and ordinance construction
- Statutory Retroactivity and Application81 opinions · 1880–2026Determining authority after statutory repeal and constitutional issues · Presumption of prospective operation of statutes · Statutory construction operates prospectively unless otherwise specified
- Statutory Interpretation of Criminal Law78 opinions · 1913–2026Determining conviction for sealing statute and statutory interpretation · Strict construction of penal statutes and legislative intent · Interpreting statutory intent regarding victim's rights
- Tax; Statutory; Construction70 opinions · 1974–2026Interpreting statutory exemptions to trade or commerce · Strict construction of tax statutes against taxing authority · Interpreting comprehensive tax scheme and interest provisions
- Statutory; Language; Intent63 opinions · 1971–2026Interpreting statutory liability for multiple claimants · Interpreting statutory applicability to license transfer by receiver · Interpreting statutory ambiguity in workers' compensation claims
- Statutory Time Limits and Deadlines48 opinions · 1974–2026Interpreting statutory provisions and time limitations · Interpreting statutory time limits for regulatory challenges · Determining whether statutory deadlines are mandatory or directory
- Retroactive; Retroactivity; Law45 opinions · 1981–2016Distinguishing substantive and remedial statutes for retroactivity · Statutory application prospective versus retroactive effect · Applying law in effect at time of appeal
- Meetings; Open; Executive session44 opinions · 1978–2026Review standards for summary judgment and open meetings act · Describing the substance of a confidential meeting · Interpreting open meetings act scope and limitations
- Vehicle; Driving; License41 opinions · 1978–2025Requirements for motor carrier licensing and fuel decal fees · Allegations regarding motor vehicle licensing statute compliance · Interpreting statutory liability for motor vehicle operation
- Statutory Interpretation and Meaning39 opinions · 1974–2026Interpreting statutory language in context · Interpreting statutory language through textual analysis
- Property value; Testimony property; Valuation36 opinions · 1976–2016Lay judgments on property values and traffic have no probative force · Evaluating expert testimony and burden of proof in property valuation · Evaluating expert testimony and rate of return determinations
- Value; Valuation; Market35 opinions · 1927–2023Determining fair market value and assessor's discretion · Defining full and fair cash value in transactions · Sustaining burden of showing systematic property undervaluation
- Taxation Law and Exemptions34 opinions · 1975–2026Strict construction of tax exemption statutes and burden of proof · Strict construction of tax sale statutes favoring owner · Exclusive relief provided by taxing statutes
- Tax; Assessment; Burden30 opinions · 1979–2024Assessing intentionality in tax assessment findings · Failure to file account as condition precedent to challenge tax valuation · Failing to file statutory tax accounts and oaths
- Tax; Property; Income30 opinions · 1977–2025Governing rules for property redemption after tax sale · Barring contest of tax sale after failure to answer · Interpreting will language regarding estate tax apportionment
- Real Property Valuation Principles and Methods21 opinions · 1974–2016Determining fair market value for real estate assessment · Determining the relevance of income approach in property appraisal · Determining valuation methods for real property
- Ejusdem generis; Meaning; Word19 opinions · 1976–2024Interpreting statutory language and ejusdem generis doctrine · Interpreting language through context and intent · Interpreting misrepresentation using noscitur a sociis
- Death; Statutory; Estate19 opinions · 1989–2023Interpreting statute regarding presumption of death and claim accrual · Balancing confidentiality and truth in adoption proceedings · Examining statutory language of wrongful death act
- License; Suspension; Revocation13 opinions · 2000–2022Validating municipal conditions on liquor license issuance · Statutory vagueness and due process in license suspension · Irreparable harm and due process rights in license renewal
- Tax; Evasion; Fraud12 opinions · 1985–2015Determining proper forum for tax administrator review · Detailing fraudulent automobile purchases and tax evasion · Applying tax law regarding prior year losses
- Property; Valuation; Assessment11 opinions · 1980–2025Determining statutory remedies for tax assessment issues · Assessing trial court's valuation methodology in tax assessment · Assessing property using inappropriate commercial schedules
- Tax and Tariff Law Review Procedures10 opinions · 1977–2026Determining entitlement to refund from FERC determination · Determining standard of review for tax administrator appeals · Determining the scope of administrative review of tax assessments
- Criminal Record Expungement and Bail Forfeiture Law9 opinions · 1995–2024Interpreting statutory criteria for record expungement · Determining relief from bail forfeiture under rule 46(e)(2) · Justifying search of jail cell for potential suicide note
- Substance; Form; Tax7 opinions · 1978–2009Guiding principle of looking to substance over form · Tax effect based on actual transaction occurrence · Determining transaction substance over form
- Wildlife; Hunting; Animals6 opinions · 1992–2014Foreseeability of dog presence on private property · Evaluating nonresident hunting rights under privileges and immunities clause · Determining if escape is inherently dangerous to human life
- Business and Income Tax Deductions5 opinions · 1998–2011Deductible renovation costs and accrual of lost profits
- Recomputing net worth including stockholder indebtedness
- Determining validity of charitable bequests despite flaws · Examining the nature of private charitable institutions
- Upholding tax assessments based on presumption of validity
- Statutory limitations on superior court power to expunge records
- Distinguishing willfulness in tax evasion from fraud statutes · Defining "willfully" in tax and criminal contexts
- Determining fairness in income apportionment formulas · Considering income tax impact on equitable distribution
- Interpreting statutory silence versus express requirements
- Distinguishing accounting practice from commission earning time
Counts are Rhode Island 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