Hendrix v. Matlock’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

11 federal appellate ·

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

1. ““[i]n determining whether the state officer has crossed the constitutional line that would make the physical abuse actionable under Section 1983, we must inquire into the amount of force used in relationship to the need presented, the extent of the injury inflicted and the motives of the state officer. If the state officer’s action caused severe injuries, was grossly disproportionate to the need for action under the circumstances, and was inspired by malice rather than merely careless or unwise excess of zeal so that it amounted to an abuse of official power that shocks the conscience, it should be redressed under Section 1983.” Coon, 780 F.2d at 1163 .”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Stevens v. Corbell · Hinojosa v. City of Terrell

2. “"With respect to the excessive force theory, you are instructed that in order for the plaintiffs to establish that the deputies ... crossed the constitutional lines that makes their shooting of Samuel Hendrix actionable under federal law, you must first find two things. “First, that the deputies’ actions were grossly disproportionate to the need for action under the circumstances, and second, that the deputies' actions were inspired by malice and not just a careless or unwise excess of zeal, so that their actions amounted to an abuse of official power that shocks the conscience." 782 F.2d at 1274 .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Stevens v. Corbell