United States v. Smith’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

8 federal appellate · 1 district ·

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

1. ““The determination whether an object constitutes a ‘dangerous weapon’ turns not on the object’s latent capability alone, but also on the manner in which the object was used. Objects that are not dangerous weapons per se are deemed to be ‘dangerous weapons’ within the meaning of [ 18 U.S.C. § 113 (a)(3) ] when used in a manner likely to endanger life or inflict great bodily harm. Thus, the term ‘dangerous weapon’ is not restricted to such obviously dangerous weapons as guns, knives, and the like, but can include virtually any object given appropriate circumstances.””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. United States v. Rocha · United States v. Vasquez

2. “First, the defendant intentionally used force in assaulting, resisting, intimidating or interfering with Task Force Officer Gamache; Second, the defendant did so while Officer Gamache was engaged in official duties; Third, the defendant used a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is a dangerous or deadly weapon if it is used in a way that is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. United States v. Anchrum