82 So. 3d 497 - State v. Ruffin’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

6 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 6 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “When a witness refers directly or indirectly to another crime committed or alleged to have been committed by the defendant, as to |atwhich evidence is not admissible, the defendant’s remedy is a request for an admonition or a mistrial pursuant to LSA-C.Cr.P. art. 771. The remark or comment must constitute an unambiguous reference to other crimes. On request, the trial court shall admonish the jury to disregard such remark or comment. La. C.Cr.P. art. 771. Upon motion of the defendant, the court may grant a mistrial if it is satisfied that an admonition is not sufficient to assure the defendant of a fair trial. The granting of a mistrial under La. C.Cr.P. art. 771 is at the discretion of the trial court and should be granted only where the prejudicial remarks of the witness make it impossible for the defendant to obtain a fair trial. Mistrial is a drastic remedy that is only authorized where substantial prejudice will otherwise result to the defendant. The determination of whether prejudice has resulted lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. A trial court’s ruling on whether or not to grant a mistrial because of comments by a police officer referring to other crimes evidence should not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 176 So. 3d 561 - State v. Griffin

2. “In the following cases, upon the request of the defendant or the state, the court shall promptly admonish the jury to disregard a remark or comment made during the trial, or in argument within the hearing of the jury, when the remark is irrelevant or immaterial and of such a nature that it might create prejudice against the defendant, or the state, in the mind of the jury: [[Image here]] (2) When the remark or comment is made by a witness or person other than the judge, district attorney, or a court official, regardless of whether the remark or comment is within the scope of Article 770. In such cases, on motion of the defendant, the court may grant a mistrial if it is satisfied that an admonition is not sufficient to assure the defendant a fair trial.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 161 So. 3d 983 - State v. Lewis

3. “The relevant inquiry is whether the reviewing court may conclude the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt ... i.e. was the guilty verdict actually rendered unattributable to the error.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 258 So. 3d 134 - State v. Bibbins