Commonwealth v. Wise’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

10 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 11 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “In reading the plain language, words and phrases shall be construed according to rules of grammar and according to their common and approved usage[.]”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. V.C. v. L.P. · Commonwealth v. Kline

2. “Generally, a statute's plain language provides the best indication of legislative intent. ... Therefore, when ascertaining the meaning of a statute, if the language is clear, we give the words their plain and ordinary meaning.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. V.C. v. L.P. · Commonwealth v. Miller

3. “In reviewing a jury charge, we determine "whether the trial court committed a clear abuse of discretion or an error of law which controlled the outcome of the case." We must view the charge as a whole; the trial court is free to use its own form of expression in creating the charge. "Our key inquiry is whether the instruction on a particular issue adequately, accurately and clearly presents the law to the jury, and is sufficient to guide the jury in its deliberations." Moreover, it is well-settled that "the trial court has wide discretion in fashioning jury instructions. The trial court is not required to give every charge that is requested by the parties, and its refusal to give a requested charge does not require reversal unless the appellant was prejudiced by that refusal."”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Commonwealth v. Soto