Watson v. Stone’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

36 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 36 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “"Penal laws should be strictly construed... . In the construction of penal statutes, if there is any doubt as to its meaning, the Court should resolve the doubt in favor of the citizen. Any doubt or ambiguity in the provisions of criminal statutes are to be construed in favor of the citizen, life and liberty. Statutes prescribing punishment and penalties should not be extended further than their terms reasonably justify. If doubt exists as to the construction of a penal statute, it is the duty of the court to resolve such doubt in favor of the citizen and against the state. Accused must be plainly and unmistakably within the criminal statute to justify conviction." Id. at 701 [citations omitted]”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Holzinger · 345 So. 2d 740 - State v. Alonso

2. “"* * * When a pistol is in the pocket of an automobile, both owned by the driver, it cannot be said that it is in the personal manual possession of the owner, * * *" (Emphasis the Court's) * * * * * * "The business [man], tourists, commercial travelers, professional man on night calls, unprotected women and children in cars on the highways day and night, State and County officials, and all law-abiding citizens fully appreciate the sense of security afforded by the knowledge of the existence of a pistol in the pocket of an automobile in which they are traveling. It cannot be said that it is placed in the car or automobile for unlawful purposes, but on the other hand it was placed therein exclusively for defensive or protective purposes. These people, in the opinion of the writer, should not be branded as criminals in their effort of self preservation and protection, but should be recognized and accorded the full rights of free and independent American citizens. * * *" (4 So.2d pages 702-703)”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 327 So. 2d 234 - Sutton v. State

3. “"* * * The burden of proof was on the State to show that the petitioner carried a pistol on his person around with him, or to establish that he had a pistol in his manual possession. The absence of the words `on' and `about' [from the statute] * * * distinguishes it from statutes of other jurisdictions making it unlawful for the weapon of the defendant to be on, under or behind the seat, cushion, door, side floor or pockets of an automobile. * * *"”

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