State v. Bunch’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

30 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 30 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[T]he elements necessary to prove felony murder are that [1] the killing took place [2] while the accused was perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate one of the enumerated felonies [in N.C.G.S. § 14-17 ].”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. 252 N.C. App. 200 - State v. Stroud · 209 N.C. App. 18 - State v. Oakes

2. “The defendant has also been charged with resisting a public officer. Now, I charge you for you to find the defendant guilty of this offense, the state must prove five things beyond a reasonable doubt: First, that the victim was a public officer. A police patrol officer is a public officer; Second, that the defendant knew or had reasonable grounds to believe that the victim was a public officer; Third, that the victim was attempting to make a lawful arrest. Arresting the defendant for indecent exposure would be a lawful arrest; Fourth, that the defendant resisted, delayed, or obstructed the victim in attempting to make a lawful arrest. And fifth, that the defendant acted willfully and unlawfully, that is, intentionally and without justification or excuse. So I charge you that if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the alleged date the victim was a public officer, that the defendant knew or had reasonable grounds to believe that the victim was a public officer, that the victim was attempting to make a lawful arrest, and that the defendant willfully and unlawfully resisted, delayed, or obstructed the victim in attempting to make a lawful arrest, it would be your duty to return a verdict of guilty. However, if you do not so find or have a reasonable doubt as to one or more of these things, it would be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. State v. Smith

3. “No person shall be convicted of any crime but by the unanimous verdict of a jury in open court, except that a person accused of any criminal offense for which the State is not seeking a sentence of death in superior court may, in writing or on the record in the court and with the consent of the trial judge, waive jury trial, subject to procedures prescribed by the General Assembly. The General Assembly may, however, provide for other means of trial for misdemeanors, with the right of appeal for trial de novo .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. 258 N.C. App. 516 - State v. Boderick