Godawa v. Byrd’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

7 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 29 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “First, taken in the light most favorable to the party asserting the injury, do the facts alleged show that the officer's conduct violated a constitutional right? Second, is the right clearly established?”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Rafferty v. Trumbull Cnty. · Michele Rafferty v. Trumbull Cty., Ohio

2. “The qualified immunity analysis entails two general steps, which can be considered in any order.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Rafferty v. Trumbull Cnty. · Michele Rafferty v. Trumbull Cty., Ohio

3. “Plaintiffs contend that Defendant was moving toward the car just prior to the impact “to block the exit,” whereas Defendant claims that he was “targeted]” by Godawa. While the lapel video clearly shows that Defendant and the vehicle came closer to each other, it is difficult to discern whether the car was driving toward Defendant, whether Defendant was moving toward the car, or both. In the Finish Line surveillance video, the precise moment of impact occurs just off-screen. In the seconds leading up to the impact, Defendant can be seen ahead and to the right of the front passenger side of Godawa’s car. The car appears temporarily stopped at that point, having just finished backing out of a parking spot. As the car begins to pull forward, Defendant is seen advancing toward the car. The car then makes a right turn in the direction of the parking lot exit and, in the middle of the turn, Defendant seems to make contact with the car just off camera. This contact is suggested by Defendant’s re-emergence on the video in which he seems to be moving off or pushing off the car and landing unsteadily on his feet. In his deposition, Defendant claimed that he was hit by Godawa’s car “in the left leg about the knee” while the car was traveling at a speed of five to ten miles per hour. Defendant regains his balance quickly and appears to take three strides alongside the vehicle before shooting through the rear passenger-side window.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Denise Alexander v. Cnty. of Wayne