State v. Wright’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

17 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. “(1) the gravity of the offense; (2) reasonable belief by the police the suspect is armed; (3) more than minimal probable cause to believe the suspect committed the crime; (4) strong reason to believe the suspect is in the premises in question; (5) likelihood of escape if prompt action is not taken; and (6) the entry is made peaceably.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hill v. State · State v. Kimberley

2. “As to Count I, if you find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt: First, that on or about November 10, 1998, in the County of Monroe, State of Missouri, the defendant caused the death of Eric Cooper by shooting him with a handgun, and Second, that defendant knew that his conduct was practically certain to cause the death of Eric Cooper, and Third, that defendant did so after deliberation, which means cool reflection upon the matter for any length of time no matter how brief, then you will find the defendant guilty under Count I of murder in the first degree. However, unless you find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt each and all of these propositions, you must find the defendant not guilty of murder in the first degree. If you do find the defendant guilty under Count I of murder in the first degree, you are to assess and declare the punishment at imprisonment for life without eligibility for probation or parole.”

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

3. “[i]nstructional error seldom rises to the level of plain error.”

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