In Re LaFitte’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

55 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 55 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “"In our recent decision in In re Ackenhausen, 244 La. 730 , 154 So.2d 380 , in determining the effect of the amendments to R.S. 9:422 and their proper application, we said: `We think the legislature * * * was attempting to define the conduct which would be a failure of the parent to fulfill his responsibility of support of his child, whereby the parent would forfeit his parental rights,' and the only time consent of both parents is not needed is `when the failure to comply with the order of the court is without just cause.' `The legislature never intended by this provision to dispense with consent where the legitimate parent shows that his failure to comply with the court order for support was for reasons beyond his control.' However, in this same decision we emphasized that `we do not propose to give the statute such a strict interpretation as to make it ineffective and inoperative,' and that `To hold that under the statute there must be a complete refusal or failure to pay any sum whatever for one year before consent would be dispensed with would be to disregard completely the obligation which a parent has to provide support and maintenance for his child.' (The emphasis has been supplied.)" In re LaFitte, 247 La. 856 , 174 So.2d 804, 806 (1965).”

   4 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State ex rel. Haynes · 240 So. 2d 46 - In Re Genin

2. “"§ 422.1 Adoptions by step-parent, grandparent; consent If the spouse of the petitioner is the legitimate parent of the child or if the petitioner is the grandparent or grandparents of the child, then the consent of the other legitimate parent is not necessary if the first and second or the first and third conditions exist: (1) The spouse of the petitioner or the grandparent or grandparents or the mother or the father have been granted custody of the child by a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) The other legitimate parent has refused or failed to comply with a court order of support for a period of one year or (3) The other legitimate parent is a nonresident of this state and has failed to support the child for a period of one year after judgment awarding custody to the mother or father or grandparent or grandparents. Added Acts 1958, No. 501, § 1, as amended Acts 1960, No. 268, § 1; Acts 1962, No. 106, § 1."”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Burson v. Lasseigne · Roy v. Speer

3. “"Hutchinson's claim he should not be deprived of his parental rights for failing to make payments during this 14-month period because he tendered payment of all past due alimony prior to the institution of the instant proceeding, and particularly since his former wife never protested his failure to promptly pay alimony support for his children, is without merit, and not supported by the evidence. "We think, as did our learned brother below, that "If it were possible to pay up an arrearage in the twelfth month of each year and thereby defeat each effort of the adoptive step-parent to adopt children he is attempting to be a father to, the intent of the legislature in adopting R.S. 9:442.1 would surely be defeated.' (The emphasis has been supplied.)"”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State ex rel. Haynes · 343 So. 2d 325 - In Re Coile