Commonwealth v. Patton’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

36 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 36 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “(1) the level of factual detail, rather than generalized and conclusory assertions; (2) whether the statement is based on personal knowledge and direct observation; (3) whether the statement is corroborated by evidence submitted by the probationer; (4) whether the statement was provided under circumstances that support the veracity of the source; and (5) whether the statement was provided by a disinterested witness.”

   4 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. 93 Mass. App. Ct. 1115 - Commonwealth v. Dorcely · 95 Mass. App. Ct. 1113 - Commonwealth v. Nieves

2. “A videotape possesses 'certain special characteristics,' including the precise words used by the child and display of the child's demeanor as she related what happened, adding to its reliability”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. 4 Cal. 5th 869 - Alameda Cnty. Soc. Servs. Agency v. Alberto C. (In Re I.C.)

3. “There is no requirement that hearsay satisfy all the above criteria to be trustworthy and reliable.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. 95 Mass. App. Ct. 1113 - Commonwealth v. Nieves