Biggs v. Terhune’s Empirical Analysis
334 F.3d 910 · 2003
Citation profile
17 federal appellate · 1 district · 10 state decisions
Relationships
Relies on Morrissey v. Brewer · Sandin v. Conner · Greenholtz v. Inmates of Nebraska Penal and Correctional Complex · Superintendent Massachusetts Correctional Institution Walpole v. Hill · Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee v. McGrath
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 108 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.
“As in the present instance, the parole board’s sole supportable reliance on the gravity of the offense and conduct prior to imprisonment to justify denial of parole can be initially justified as fulfilling the requirements set forth by state law. Over time, however, should Biggs continue to demonstrate exemplary behavior and evidence of rehabilitation, denying him a parole date simply because of the nature of his offense would raise serious questions involving his liberty interest.”
7 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority“The Parole Board’s decision is one of ‘equity’ and requires a careful balancing and assessment of the factors considered .... A continued reliance in the future on an unchanging factor, the circumstance of the offense and conduct prior to imprisonment, runs contrary to the rehabilitative goals espoused by the prison system and could result in a due process violation.”
4 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the concurrence“(1)Commitment Offense. The prisoner committed the offense in an especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner. The factors to be considered include: * # * * X # (B) The offense was carried out in a dispassionate and calculated manner, such as an execution-style manner. * * * * * (D) The offense was carried out in a manner which demonstrates an exceptionally callous disregard for human suffering. (E) The motive for the crime is inexplicable or very trivial in relation to the offense. # Jfi # j¡í tfc (3) Unstable Social History. The prisoner has a history of unstable or tumultuous relationships with others.”
1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
How this case has been treated — in progress
Whether each later court followed, distinguished, criticized, or overruled this decision. The treatment classification (task #35) runs highest-cited cases first and lights up here as it reaches this one.