44 Va. App. 549 - Coles v. Commonwealth’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

19 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 19 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““we must... assume ... the legislature chose, with care, the words it used when it enacted the relevant statute.” . . . Because we assume the legislature chose the words used, it is our duty “to give reasonable effect to every word.” ... In giving reasonable effect to eveiy word, we presume the legislature used the word in its ordinary sense in the absence of a specific, statutory definition.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Orlando Rondell Williams v. Commonwealth of Virginia · In re Moore

2. “clearly contemplates a formal accusation upon which a trial court could act and pass judgment. Therefore, to sustain a conviction under Code § 18.2-478, the evidence must show the defendant was taken into custody pursuant to a written charge; probable cause to arrest will not suffice to satisfy the”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hubbard v. Com.

3. “[I]n order to sustain a conviction for escape under Code § 18.2-478, the evidence must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was taken into custody `on a charge of criminal offense.' Probable cause to arrest will not satisfy this element of the offense.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hubbard v. Com.