742 So. 2d 597 - State v. Jones’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. “A sentence is unconstitutionally excessive if it is grossly out of proportion to the seriousness of the offense or nothing more than a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. A sentence is considered grossly disproportionate if, when the crime and punishment are considered in light of the harm done to society, it is so disproportionate as to shock one's sense of justice. The trial judge has wide discretion in the imposition of sentence within the statutory limits and such a sentence should not be set aside as excessive absent a manifest abuse of discretion. The relevant question is whether the trial court abused its broad sentencing discretion, not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate.”

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

2. “[T]he record discloses that the very immature defendant, who fathered Aspen when he was only seventeen, did try to protect Aspen, caring for her and fighting with [her mother] Amy over the abusive events he witnessed. His conduct of neglect and omission was not deliberately cruel; he did not use violence or cause others to use violence against Aspen; he did not act in concert with Amy to hurt Aspen ... he did not contemplate that his conduct would cause serious harm....”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 778 So. 2d 1131 - State v. Jones

3. “abandonment of his child in her greatest hour of need.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 778 So. 2d 1131 - State v. Jones