Johnson v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

54 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 54 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “1. Effectiveness of both appointed and retained counsel are to be judged by the single standard of “reasonable effective assistance of counsel.” 2. Such standard does not mean error-less counsel and not counsel judged ineffective by hindsight, but counsel reasonably likely to render, and rendering reasonable effective assistance. The fact that other counsel would have tried the case differently does not show inadequate representation. 3. Each case must be considered in light of its particular circumstances. 4. The adequacy of representation must be gauged by the totality of the representation.”

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

2. “Of necessity, each case must turn on its own particular facts and circumstances, [Citations omitted.] The adequacy of an attorney’s services must be gauged by the totality of the representation. [Citations omitted.] The allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel will be sustained only if they are firmly founded. [Citations omitted]”

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