State v. Vines’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

39 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 39 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “`From appellant's discussion * * * it seems that his main purpose in asking for a preliminary examination [or access to the grand jury testimony] was to obtain knowledge of the facts the state expected to prove at the trial. He was really seeking a disclosure of the state's evidence in order that he might prepare his defense. It is clear that under out statute a preliminary examination is not for that purpose. * * * There seems to be no rule of the common law or statute that gives a defendant the right before trial to pry into the state's case by obtaining a disclosure of its evidence, though there is authority for the view that the trial court has at least a discretionary power to permit the defendant to inspect documents or chattels for the purpose of obtaining information that will enable him to make a defense.'”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hennigan v. State · State v. Spears

2. ““* * * In spite of the recognized danger of acting on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice, we have no doubt that such testimony may constitute what we call ‘substantial evidence.’ See State v. Alderilla, supra. In at least one case we have said that there must be ‘substantial credible evidence’ to support the verdict. Jones v. State, 26 Wyo. 293, 299 , 183 Pac. 745 . In that case a defendant charged with larceny was convicted on the testimony of a witness who it was claimed was an accomplice. Because the witness was of bad character, and his improbable story was contradicted on material matters, it was held that his evidence was neither substantial nor credible, and the verdict was set aside. The decision in that case would seem to be authority for a similar disposition of the case at bar. * * *””

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

3. ““ * * * It seems to be the general rule that affidavits stating the conclusions of the affiants, with no facts to support the conclusions, have little or no weight. (Citing cases.) * * * Of course, affidavits of opinions or conclusions, alone relied on, furnish no- basis for granting a change of venue, but apparently the practice is to receive them in evidence, probably on the theory that the court may conclude from other evidence that there is basis in fact for the opinions expressed in the affidavits. In the case at bar we do not think there was any other evidence from which the trial court should have found that there were facts to justify the conclusions stated in the affidavits. * * * ””

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