Carter v. Harbin’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

66 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 66 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “"In view of the evidence going to show that the father and stepmother are in all respects equipped to minister to the needs of the children in an adequate home where they are loved and cared for, we cannot believe it would be to the best interest of the children that they be uprooted again and taken to Huntsville to the home of their mother and her present husband, although it is clear that the present husband, as well as the mother, love the children and perhaps could afford them more of the luxuries of life than their father."”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Whitehead v. Phillips · 455 So. 2d 863 - Ex Parte McLendon

2. ““Where a court is confronted with the conflicting claims of parents or others for custody of infants, the fundamental controlling inquiry is the best interest of the child.” Carter v. Harbin, 279 Ala. 237 , 184 So.2d 145 (1966) (Per Lawson, J.) [Emphasis supplied.]”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Brill v. Johnson

3. ““We agree with the trial court’s conclusion to the effect that the mere fact that the mother has reformed, is now married to a fine man who is able to care for her and her children, does not warrant a decree of modification. * * * ””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. McCartney v. McCartney