State v. Smith’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

22 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 22 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “An examination of the voir dire of the jury reveals that at least six jurors were asked about their knowledge of the prior trial, several of the questions coming from defense counsel. Most knew a trial had taken place and that defendant was convicted. Since defense counsel did not hesitate to refer to the previous trial during voir dire, and since its occurrence was generally known, the prosecutor’s remarks were harmless error.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. In re Smith

2. “Cross-examination of defendant’s expert psychiatrist included interrogation concerning the witness’ opinion of mental reports prepared by other doctors who had examined defendant. The defense contends that references to such psychiatric reports violated defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses. Defendant’s rambling argument appears to concede that defense attorneys opened the door to that line of questioning ....”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. In re Smith

3. “Jesus Christ, you'd think I'd killed the President of the United States.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Robin O'Neill