Frustration of Purpose Definition

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A basis for federal preemption of state law.

When a state law frustrates the purpose of a federal law—when it conflicts or interferes with federal law, making it difficult or impossible for the federal law to achieve its purpose—the state law must give way to the federal law under the supremacy clause, U.S. Const. art. VI, cl. 2.

In some states, frustration of purpose is also grounds for state preemption of conflicting local laws.

(See also: commercial frustration)

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