State v. Pack’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

13 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 13 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““the sentencing court should ‘“acquire a thorough acquaintance with the character and history of the man before it.” ’ This study should examine a defendant’s general moral character, mentality, habits, social environment, tendencies, age, aversion or inclination to commit crime, life, family, occupation, and previous criminal record.””

   6 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Ferguson · State v. Lemley

2. “The settled record and sentencing transcript contain no record of'information or data regarding proportionality having been presented to the trial court for its consideration when imposing sentence. That being the case, this Court will not accept an invitation to second guess the trial court on its sentence.”

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

3. “First, is the punishment so excessive or so cruel, “as to meet the disapproval and condemnation of the conscience and reason of [humankind].” And second, whether the punishment is so excessive or so cruel as to shock the collective conscience of this court.”

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