State v. Benoit’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

19 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 19 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “It is, of course, true that there are cases where a witness’ displays of emotion are so frequent and so intense that they produce such passion and prejudice as to justify taking a case from the jury. But whether or not they produce that result is a matter which under established case law rests largely in a trial justice’s sound judicial discretion, and, except in an instance where that discretion is clearly shown to have been abused, his refusal to grant a mistrial because of a complaining witness’ outbursts, outcries and the like will not be disturbed.”

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

2. “permits a warrantless search of an automobile if there is probable cause to believe that its contents offend against the law * * * and if the attendant circumstances are exigent because the delay incident to obtaining a warrant would create a potential for the vehicle to be moved or its illegal contents disturbed.”

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