State v. Beverlin’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

5 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 5 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““As a general rule, the indictment or information must contain a specific description of the offense charged, and it is not enough to state a mere conclusion of law; thus, it would be insufficient to charge the defendant with ‘ stealing ’ or ‘ murdering.’ Wharton’s Criminal Pleading and Practice, § 154. The object of this general rule, supported by the constitution and statute, is that the .defendant may be fairly informed of the nature and cause of the offense charged against him, and that the court, by an inspection of the record alone, may determine whether, admitting the truth of the charge, a thing has been done which is forbidden by law. Notwithstanding this general rule, there are exceptions, as it is not requisite to charge in the information anything more than is necessary to clearly and adequately express the offense. It is sufficient to frame the information in the words of the statute, or in words of like meaning, in all cases where the statute so far individuates the offense that the offender has proper notice, from the mere adoption of the statutory terms, or of terms equivalent thereto, what the offense he is to be tried for really is. Wharton’s Criminal Pleading and Practice, § 220.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. State v. Patterson

2. ““Any person who shall assault, or beat or wound another under such circumstances as not to constitute any other offense herein defined, shall upon conviction thereof be fined in a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. State v. Hazen