Sutton v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

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

1. “Where a defendant does not question his guilt, nor does he suggest any impairment to any defense which might have been available to him, this Court has declined to hold that such defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Jerome Van, Jr. v. State of Mississippi · 915 So. 2d 1073 - Christie v. State

2. “The trial judge asked Sutton whether he had an opportunity to fully discuss with his attorney the facts and circumstances surrounding the offenses. Sutton indicated that he had discussed such facts regarding the offenses which would be necessary to his defense. Upon inquiry by the court, Sutton stated that he had not been threatened nor coerced into pleading guilty, and that his attorney had discussed the elements of the crimes charged with him [sic]. Sutton indicated that there had been no promises made to him in exchange for pleas of guilty. He stated that he was freely and voluntarily admitting that he was guilty of the crimes charged. The trial judge advised Sutton of his right to a trial by jury and the right to testify or not testify in his own behalf as he chose. The trial judge advised Sutton of his right to confront and cross-examine witnesses against him and his right to subpoena witnesses to testify in [sic] his behalf. The trial judge informed Sutton that guilty pleas would waive these rights. Sutton acknowledged that a plea of guilty would waive these rights. The trial judge questioned Sutton regarding his attorney's services. Sutton stated that he was satisfied with his attorney's representation in each case. The trial judge then asked Sutton if he had any questions concerning the charges pending against him which had not been answered either by his attorney or the district attorney's office. Sutton indicated that he had no questions. The trial judge informed Su”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 999 So. 2d 383 - Keith v. State

3. “3. Voluntariness. Before the trial court may accept a plea of guilty, the court must determine that the plea is voluntarily and intelligently made and that there is a factual basis for the plea. A plea of guilty is not voluntary if induced by fear, violence, deception, or improper inducements. A showing that the plea of guilty was voluntarily and intelligently made must appear in the record. 4. Advice to the Defendant. When the defendant is arraigned and wishes to plead guilty to the offense charged, it is the duty of the trial court to address the defendant personally and to inquire and determine: a. That the accused is competent to understand the nature of the charge; b. That the accused understands the nature and consequences of the plea, and the maximum and minimum penalties provided by law; c. That the accused understands that by pleading guilty (s)he waives his/her constitutional rights of trial by jury, the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and the right against self-incrimination; if the accused is not represented by an attorney, that (s)he is aware of his/her right to an attorney at every stage of the proceeding and that one will be appointed to represent him/her if (s)he is indigent.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 881 So. 2d 933 - Ryals v. State