Smith v. City Commission’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

2 federal appellate · 13 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 17 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““A mandatory construction will usually be given to the word ‘may’ where public interests are concerned, ' and the public or third persons have a claim de jure that the power conferred should be exercised, or whenever something is directed to be done for the sake of justice or the public good; but never for the purpose of creating a right.” 59 C.J. pp. 1082-1085. [ 281 Mich, at p. 243 , 274 N.W. at p. 779 ]”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 373 F. Supp. 363 - Nortown Theatre Incorporated v. Gribbs

2. ““Where, however, the language of a statute is of doubtful meaning, the court should give it a reasonable construction looking to the purpose to be subserved thereby, Attorney General v. Bank of Michigan, Harr. Ch. (Mich.) 315; Bennett v. Michigan Pulpwood Co., 181 Mich. 33 , and the object sought to be accomplished, In re Estate of Ticknor,”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Zawacki v. Detroit Harvester Co.