Hall v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

3 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 3 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Cross-examination is the principal means by which the believability of a witness and the truth of his testimony are tested. Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 316 , 94 S.Ct. 1105, 1110 , 39 L.Ed.2d 347, 353 (1974). In attacking a witness’ credibility, a cross-examiner may attempt to reveal possible biases, prejudices, or ulteri- or motives of the witness as they may relate directly to issues or personalities in the case. Davis, supra, 415 U.S. at 316 , 94 S.Ct. 1105, at 1110 , 39 L.Ed.2d at 354 . The partiality of a witness is always subject to exploration at trial and the exposure of a witness’ motivation in testifying is a proper and important function of the constitutionally protected right of cross-examination. Davis, supra. Prejudice ensues from a denial of the opportunity to place the witness in his proper setting and put the weight of his testimony and his credibility to a test, without which the jury cannot fairly appraise a witness’ testimony. Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 690 , 51 S.Ct. 218, 219 , 75 L.Ed. 624, 628 (1931).”

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