Commonwealth v. Rotola’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

8 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 8 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Although an award of restitution lies within the discretion of the [trial] court, it should not be speculative or excessive[,] and we must vacate a restitution order which is not supported by the record. Mandatory restitution, as part of a defendant's sentence, is authorized by 18 Pa.C.S. § 1106, which states, in relevant part: § 1106. Restitution for injuries to person or property (a) General rule. -Upon conviction for any crime wherein property has been stolen, converted or otherwise unlawfully obtained, or its value substantially decreased as a direct result of the crime, or wherein the victim suffered personal injury directly resulting from the crime, the offender shall be sentenced to make restitution in addition to the punishment prescribed therefor. * * * (c) Mandatory restitution.- (1) The court shall order full restitution: (i) Regardless of the current financial resources of the defendant, so as to provide the victim with the fullest compensation for the loss. * * * (2) At the time of sentencing the court shall specify the amount and method of restitution. In determining the amount and method of restitution, the court: (i) Shall consider the extent of injury suffered by the victim, the victim's request for restitution ... and such other matters as it deems appropriate. (ii) May order restitution in a lump sum, by monthly installments or according to such other schedule as it deems just. * * * (4) (i) It shall be the responsibility of the district attorneys of the re”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Commonwealth v. Crosley · Commonwealth v. Weir

2. “Although a plea agreement occurs in a criminal context, it remains contractual in nature and is to be analyzed under contract-law standards.”

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