Burton v. Commonwealth’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

9 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 9 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “A person is disqualified to testify as a witness if the trial court determines that he: (1) Lacked the capacity to perceive accurately the matters about which he proposes to testify; (2) Lacks the capacity to recollect facts; (3) Lacks the capacity to express himself so as to be understood, either directly or through an interpreter; or (4) Lacks the capacity to understand the obligation of a witness to tell the truth.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Swan v. Commonwealth

2. “the same evidence considered by the trial court, rightfully or wrongfully.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Grady v. Commonwealth

3. “jury is presumed to follow the trial court's admonition.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Hilton v. Commonwealth