2009 Pa. Super. 247 - Commonwealth v. Bozyk’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

9 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 9 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “means more than being allowed to confront the witness physically. Indeed, the main and essential purpose of confrontation is to secure for the opponent the opportunity of cross-examination. Of particular relevance here, [the Supreme Court of the United States has] recognized that the exposure of a witness’ motivation in testifying is a proper and important function of the constitutionally protected right of cross-examination. It does not follow, of course, that the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment prevents a trial judge from imposing any limits on defense counsel’s inquiry into the potential bias of a prosecution witness, On the contrary, trial judges retain wide latitude insofar as the Confrontation Clause is concerned to impose reasonable limits on such cross-examination based on concerns about, among other things, harassment, and prejudice, confusion of the issues, the witness’ safety, or interrogation that is repetitive or only marginally relevant. ... [T]he Confrontation Clause guarantees an opportunity for effective cross-examination, not cross-examination that is effective in whatever way, and to whatever extent, the defense might wish.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2017 Pa. Super. 106 - Commonwealth v. Akrie · 2011 Pa. Super. 269 - Commonwealth v. Handfield

2. “When reviewing [a ruling on] a motion in limine, we apply an evidentiary abuse of discretion standard of review. The admission of evidence is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court and our review is for an abuse of discretion. A trial court’s ruling regarding the admissibility of evidence will not be disturbed “unless that ruling reflects” “manifest unreasonableness, or partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will, or such lack of support as to be clearly ‘erroneous.’ ””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 2014 Pa. Super. 44 - Commonwealth v. Orie