2003 Pa. Super. 212 - Commonwealth v. Bennett’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

28 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 28 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “When reviewing an order denying a motion to suppress evidence, we are limited to determining whether the evidence of record supports the factual findings, inferences and legal conclusions of the suppression court. In so doing, we consider only the evidence of the prosecution’s witnesses along with defense evidence that, fairly read in the context of the entire record, remains uncontradicted. Furthermore, questions of credibility and the weight to be accorded to witness testimony are issues within the sound discretion of the trial court. If the record supports the factual findings of the trial court, we may reverse only for an error of law.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2007 Pa. Super. 37 - In the Interest of R.P. · 2007 Pa. Super. 81 - Commonwealth v. Chambers

2. “To establish grounds for “reasonable suspicion” sufficient to justify an investigative detention, the officer must articulate specific observations which, in conjunction with reasonable inference derived from these observations, led him reasonably to conclude, in light of his experience, that criminal activity was afoot and that the person he stopped was involved in that activity. Commonwealth v. Cook, 558 Pa. 50, 735 A.2d 673, 676 (1999). Mere hunches on the part of the officer are insufficient to meet this burden; however, “... a combination of innocent facts, when taken together, may warrant further investigation by the police officer.” Id.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2003 Pa. Super. 358 - Commonwealth v. Wood

3. “Sheriffs in Pennsylvania have statutory and non-statutory sources of authority. Sheriffs are charged with serving process and executing orders directed to the officer pursuant to law. 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 2921. Such statutory authority includes the sheriffs traditional, common law function of upholding the peace and enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth. [Leet.] Moreover, sheriffs have the authority to make warrantless arrests for breaches of the peace occurring in their presence, provided that they have proper training.' [Kline; Leet] ...”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Kopko v. Miller