Bruno v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

10 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 10 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The charge provided in pertinent part: Our law provides that a person commits the offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle if he intentionally or knowingly operates another’s motor-propelled vehicle without the effective consent of the owner. [[Image here]] A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to the nature of his conduct or to circumstances surrounding his conduct when he is aware of the nature of his conduct or that the circumstances exist. A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to a result of his conduct when he is aware that his conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result. Now, if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 21st day of November, 1991, in Harris County, Texas, the defendant, Earl Clarence Smith, did then and there intentionally or knowingly operate a motor-propelled vehicle, namely, an automobile, owned by Theo E. Nelson without the effective consent of Theo E. Nelson, then you will find the defendant guilty as charged in the indictment. Unless you so find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, or if you have a reasonable doubt thereof, you will acquit the defendant and say by your verdict “Not Guilty.””

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

2. “The court’s charge to the jury tracks the language of section 31.07. The culpable mental state submitted in the charge properly modifies both “operate a motor-propelled vehicle” as well as “without the effective consent of Joann Peevy.” Accordingly, the charge properly placed the burden upon the State to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that appellant knew that he did not have the effective consent of the complainant to operate her automobile.”

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

3. “The Legislature shall by law establish a Board of Pardons and Paroles and shall require it to keep record of its actions and the reasons for its action. The Legislature shall have authority to enact parole laws and laws that require or permit Courts to inform juries about the effect of good conduct time and eligibility for parole or mandatory supervision on the period of incarceration served by a defendant convicted of a criminal offense.”

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