Pierce v. Pierce’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

37 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 37 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““ We referred in Latham v. Udell [ 38 Mich. 238 ], and we think it not improper to refer again, to the wrongs done under color of law by the attempts, which are becoming so common as to be dangerous to the security of private property, to overthrow wills because they do not suit the notions of' those who determine their validity. The right to make a* will as a testator chooses is as sacred as any other right, and a finding that the will is not valid, which is based on any other foundation than a conscientious conviction of actual incapacity, shown by the testimony, is a disgraceful outrage upon justice, and a plain violation of the oath under which the conclusion is asserted.””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Spratt v. Spratt · In Re Littlejohn's Estate

2. ““And we are further of opinion that inasmuch as it is a temporary condition, the testimony must be confined to the time involved in the transaction in controversy. If Pierce was not overcome by drunkenness when he made his will, it is not important what his condition was on other occasions.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Cochrane v. King

3. “Every attempt to drive men into an agreement which they would not have reached freely is a perversion of justice.”

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