State v. Ford’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

26 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 26 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““I. That the defendant, Frank Ed Blake, was sworn in open Court and the questions were asked him as set forth in the Transcript of Plea by the undersigned Judge, and the answers given thereto by said defendant are as set forth therein. II. That this defendant, was represented by attorney, George M. Britt, who was court appointed; and the defendant through his attorney, in open Court, pled nolo con-tendere to Armed Robbery as charged in the bill of indictment of and in open Court, under oath, further informs the Court that: 1. He is and has been fully advised of his rights and the charges against him; 2. He is and has been fully advised of the maximum punishment for said offense charged, and for the offense to which he pleads nolo contendere; 3. He is guilty of the offense to which he pleads guilty; 4. He authorizes his attorney to enter a plea of nolo contendere to said charge 5. He has had ample time to confer with his attorney, and to subpoena witnesses desired by him; 6. He is ready for trial; 7. He is satisfied with the counsel and services of his attorney; And after further examination by the Court, the Court ascertains, determines and adjudges that the plea of nolo contendere, by the defendant is freely, understandingly and voluntarily made, without undue influence, compulsion or duress, and without promise of leniency. It is, therefore, Ordered that his plea of nolo contendere be entered in the record, and that the Transcript of Plea and Adjudication be filed and recor”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Blake

2. “a plea of guilty . . . may not be considered valid unless it appears affirmatively that it was entered voluntarily and understandingly. Hence, a plea of guilty . . . unaccompanied by evidence that the plea was entered voluntarily and understandingly, and a judgment entered thereon, must be vacated____If the plea is sustained, it must appear affirmatively that it was entered voluntarily and understandingly . . . [and that] the nature and consequences of the plea [had] been explained to defendant in open court.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Tinney