Smith v. Bennett’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

278 federal appellate · 66 district · 295 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 937 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “if one does not have it and is unable to get it the fee might as well be [an exorbitant sum].”

   10 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Frank S. Beal, Etc. v. Ann Doe Edward W. Maher, Commissioner of Social Services of Connecticut v. Susan Roe John H. Poelker, Etc. v. Jane Doe, Etc · Stahl v. Board of County Commissioners

2. “to interpose any financial consideration between an indigent prisoner of the State and his exercise of a state right to sue for his liberty is to deny that prisoner the equal protection of the laws.”

   8 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Lewis Director Arizona Department of Corrections v. Casey · Ronald Weaver Leo McKaye Morris Martin v. Raymond Toombs Robert Brown, Jr. Donald Mason Robert Mulvaney Ted Strassburg

3. ““The Attorney General of Iowa also argues that indigent prisoners in the State’s custody may seek ‘vindication of federal rights alleged to have been denied by the state’ in the federal courts. But even though this be true — an additional point not involved or passed upon here — it would ill-belioove this great State, whose devotion to the equality of rights is indelibly stamped upon its history, to say to its indigent prisoners seeking to redress what they believe to be the State’s wrongs: ‘Go to the federal court.’ * * *” 365 U. S., at p. 713 , 81 S. Ct., at p. 898 .”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. State v. Welch · Abdul-Akbar v. McKelvie