William C. Mitchell, Ltd. v. Brown’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

8 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 8 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““Absent legislative definition or a particular and appropriate meaning in law, we give words their plain and ordinary meaning.” State v. Ahitow, 544 N.W.2d 270 , 272 (Iowa 1996); see also Iowa Code § 4.1 (38). We also consider the context in which the words are used. Iowa Code § 4.1 (38). We apply rules of statutory construction only when the terms of a statute are ambiguous. Carolan v. Hill, 553 N.W.2d 882, 887 (Iowa 1996). A statute is ambiguous if reasonable persons could disagree as to its meaning. Id.; American Asbestos Training Ctr., Ltd. v. Eastern Iowa Community College, 463 N.W.2d 56, 58 (Iowa 1990). “Ambiguity may arise in two ways: (1) from the meaning of particular words; or (2) from the general scope and meaning of a statute when all its provisions are examined.” Carolan, 553 N.W.2d at 887 (quoting Holiday Inns Franchising, Inc. v. Branstad, 537 N.W.2d 724, 728 (Iowa 1995)).”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Sailer · IBP, Inc. v. Harker

2. “The ultimate goal of statutory construction is to give effect to the intent of the legislature. We cannot, under the guise of construction, enlarge or otherwise change the terms of the statute as the legislature adopted it. We will not construe a statute in a way that would produce impractical or absurd results, and we should not speculate as to the probable legislative intent apart from the wording used in the statute.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Sailer

3. “1. The object sought to be attained. 2. The circumstances under which the statute was enacted. 3. The legislative history. 4. The common law or former statutory provisions, including laws upon the same or similar subjects. 5. The consequences of a particular construction. 6. The administrative construction of the statute. 7. The preamble or statement of policy.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Sailer