Johnson v. Branson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

15 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 15 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “In addition, [Virginia Code § 64.1-5.1(4)] requires that no claim of succession by an illegitimate child shall be recognized in the settlement of a decedent’s estate unless the child or someone acting for him shall, within one year of the parent’s death, file an affidavit alleging parenthood and file an action seeking adjudication of parenthood. The limitation period does not apply if the parenthood is “established by a birth record prepared upon information given by or at the request of’ the parent in question.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Hart v. Posey · Thompson v. McAllister Banks

2. “There is no affirmative evidence that Compton ever consented to have his name entered on Wise’s birth certificate as the child’s father. There is only the evidence that his name was so listed at a time when the West Virginia statute prohibited such listing without his consent. There is no evidence that the person furnishing the information for the birth certificate complied with this law by obtaining Compton’s consent. Even in her ex parte affidavit, Wise’s mother did not assert that Compton had consented to the entry of his name as the child’s father. Indeed, the fact that the preparer of the information for Wise’s birth certificate did not know Compton’s birthplace strongly suggests that Compton did not supply the information. The uncontradicted evidence was that Compton knew where he was bom and frequently returned there to see relatives.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Hart v. Posey

3. “[tjhere is no evidence that Compton ever had any contact with Wise. There is no evidence that Wise ever used Compton's surname, or that Compton ever claimed Wise as a dependent for tax purposes. There is no evidence that Compton ever admitted paternity in a court proceeding or in writing under oath. We hold that the mere listing of Compton’s name on the West Virginia birth certificate is insufficient to prove paternity under our statute requiring such proof to be made by clear and convincing evidence.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Murphy v. McCloud