State v. Prowell’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

19 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 19 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “A valid statute must give a person of ordinary intelligence a reasonable opportunity to learn what is prohibited.... The words “substantial risk” have a plain and ordinary meaning cognizable by a person of ordinary intelligence. “If the terms or words used in the statute are of common usage and are understandable by persons of ordinary intelligence, they satisfy the constitutional requirements as to definiteness and certainty.” ... Because a defen dant’s knowledge of the consequences of his or her actions must be proven, the possibility of arbitrary convictions is negated.”

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

2. “1. A person commits the offense of distribution of a controlled substance near schools if he violates Section 195.211 by unlawfully distributing or delivering any controlled substance to a person in or on, or within one thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, public vocational school, or a public or private junior college, college or university. 2. Distribution of a controlled substance near schools is a class A felony.”

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