State v. Kelso’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

4 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 4 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Section 569.040.1, RSMo.1978, provides: [A] person commits the crime of arson in the first degree when he knowingly damages a building or inhabitable structure and when any person is then present or in near proximity thereto, by starting a fire or causing an explosion and thereby recklessly places such person in danger of death or serious physical injury.”

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

2. “There must be an actual burning of the property or some part of it.... Thus, setting fire to paper or other combustible matter in the house, without burning the house, is not arson. But if any part of the house, however trifling, be burnt, though the fire be afterward extinguished, it is sufficient.”

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

3. “But where the boards of the floor were only “scorched black,” but not burnt, and no part of the wood was consumed, this was held not sufficient [to constitute arson].”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. In the Interest of: T.L.G. v. Juvenile Officer