People v. Collman’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

31 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 33 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““The substance of all definitions of probable cause is a reasonable ground for belief of guilt. Brinegar v. United States, 338 U.S. 160, 175 , 69 S.Ct. 1302 , 93 L.Ed. 1879 . But the quantum or quality of evidence needed to show probable cause for an arrest is different from that required to sustain a conviction of a violation of a substantive offense. Sanchez v. United States, 9 Cir., 311 F.2d 327 , cert. denied, 373 U.S. 949 , 83 S.Ct. 1678 , 10 L.Ed. 2d 704 . In determining what constitutes probable cause for an arrest, the surrounding facts and circumstances within the knowledge of the arresting officer, which are indicative of the commission of a crime, are most significant. When an arrest is made by a police officer, his actions should not be measured by what might or'might not be probable cause to an untrained civilian. They should be measured by the standard appropriate for a reasonable, cautious, and prudent police officer engaged in a narcotics investigation. State v. Poe, 74 Wash.2d 425 , 445 P.2d 196 . The standard must be that of ‘a reasonable, cautious and prudent police officer’ and must be judged in light of his training and experience. Bell v. United States, 102 U.S. App. D.C. 383 , 254 F.2d 82 , cert. denied, 358 U.S. 885 , 79 S.Ct. 126 , 3 L.Ed.2d 113 .””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. People v. Hemenover · People v. Coy

2. ““ ‘In dealing with probable cause, * * * as the very name implies we deal with probabilities. These are not technical; they are factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which reasonable and prudent men, not legal technicians, act.’ Brinegar v. United States, supra, [ 338 U.S. 160 ] at 175 [ 69 S.Ct. 1302 , 93 L.Ed. 1879 ]. Probable cause exists where ‘the facts and circumstances within [the arresting officers’] knowledge and of which they had reasonable truthworthy information [are] sufficient in themselves to warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that’ an offense has been or is being committed. Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 13 , 162, 45 S.Ct. 280, 288 [ 69 L.Ed. 543 ].””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. People v. Lujan