State v. Severson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

103 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 103 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “A trial court presiding over a criminal case must instruct the jury on all matters of law necessary for the jury’s information. I.C. § 19-2132. In other words, a trial court must deliver instructions on the rules of law that are “material to the determination of the defendant’s guilt or innocence.” State v. Mack, 132 Idaho 480, 483 , 974 P.2d 1109, 1112 (Ct.App.1999). This necessarily includes instructions on the “nature and elements of the crime charged and the essential legal principles applicable to the evidence that has been admitted.” State v. Gain, 140 Idaho 170, 172 , 90 P.3d 920, 922 (Ct.App.2004). Each party is entitled to request the delivery of specific instructions. However, such instructions will only be given if they are “correct and pertinent.” I.C. § 19-2132. A proposed instruction is not “correct and pertinent” if it is: (1) an erroneous statement of the law; (2) adequately covered by other instructions; or (3) “not supported by the facts of the case.” State v. Olsen, 103 Idaho 278, 285 , 647 P.2d 734, 741 (1982).”

   4 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Douglas Earl Meyer · State v. Joseph Roman Rubio

2. “As a general rule, we will not consider arguments made for the first time on appeal. When the alleged error constitutes a fundamental error, however, review on appeal is permissible.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. State v. Manzanares · State v. Erickson

3. “[a]s public officers, prosecutors have a duty to ensure that defendants receive fair trials.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. State v. David Leon Johnson · State v. Azad Haji Abdullah