Torbit v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

6 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 6 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “In light of the specific criteria set forth in [the statute], we believe that the circuit court should state its findings in writing so that, on appeal, we can determine whether the court’s decision amounts to an abuse of discretion.... [Therefore, ... [a] court’s failure to explain its reasons for denying [a] motion [would be], itself, ... an abuse of discretion. The requirement that a court must state its reasons for denying an application for waiver of filing fees and costs should not be an onerous one. A lengthy statement is not necessary; a brief, one line notation, such as “affidavit does not show that applicant is indigent,” or “complaint is patently meritless [or frivolous]” will normally suffice.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Massey v. Inmate Grievance Office · Davis v. Mills