People v. Peterson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

41 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 41 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[W]hen a trial court makes a finding by a preponderance of the evidence, this court will reverse that finding only if it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. [Citation.] A finding is against the manifest weight of the evidence where the opposite conclusion is clearly evident or if the finding itself is unreasonable, arbitrary, or not based on the evidence presented. [Citations.]”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. People v. Krisik · People v. Davis

2. “the trial court may consider hearsay evidence, including the unavailable witness's hearsay statements. Stechly , 225 Ill. 2d at 278 , 312 Ill.Dec. 268 , 870 N.E.2d 333 (citing Davis , 547 U.S. at 833, 126 S.Ct. 2266 ); see also Ill. R. Evid. 104(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2011) (when deciding preliminary questions concerning the admissibility of evidence, 'the court is not bound by the rules of evidence except those with respect to privileges').”

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

3. “[T]he strong presumption that counsel's strategy was sound may be overcome where counsel's decisions appear to be so irrational that no reasonably effective defense attorney in similar circumstances would pursue such a strategy.”

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