State v. COMPLANO’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

26 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 27 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[I]f [the trial court] ... is not reasonably well satisfied that the testimony given by the witness on the trial was false, it should deny the motion [for a new trial], and it is not at liberty to shift upon the shoulders of another jury the responsibility to seek out the truth of that matter.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Marshall v. State · 47 Va. App. 513 - In Re Carpitcher

2. ““ * * * we think it important for the orderly administration of criminal justice that findings on conflicting evidence by trial courts on motions for new trial based on newly discovered evidence remain undisturbed except for most extraordinary circumstances. * * * “Determination of guilt or innocence as a result of a fair trial, and prompt enforcement of sentences in the event of conviction, are objectives of criminal law. * * * The Circuit Court of Appeals was right in the first instance, when it declared that it did not sit to try de novo motions for a new trial. It was wrong in the second instance when it did review the facts de novo and order the judgment set aside.””

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

3. “convicted of a crime should not be granted a new trial unless the trial court is satisfied that the testimony of a material witness was false or mistaken, and unless a jury might reach a different conclusion without such testimony. A witness’ recantation of his testimony is looked upon with utmost suspicion.”

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