Thomas v. Com.’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

21 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 21 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “evaluating whether an investigative detention is unreasonable, common sense and ordinary human experience must govern over rigid criteria.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 33 Va. App. 494 - Hamlin v. Commonwealth · 29 Va. App. 5 - Washington v. Com.

2. “Much as a “bright line” rule would be desirable, in evaluating whether an investigative detention is unreasonable, common sense and ordinary human experience must govern over rigid criteria. * * * * * * In assessing whether a detention is too long in duration to be justified as an investigative stop, we consider it appropriate to examine whether the police diligently pursued a means of investigation that was likely to confirm or dispel their suspicions quickly, during which time it was necessary to detain the defendant.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 28 Va. App. 249 - Ford v. Commonwealth

3. “arrest.” After reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to appellant, who prevailed on this issue, we cannot say this legal conclusion was erroneous. Although”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 27 Va. App. 1 - Jefferson v. Commonwealth