State v. Robinson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

23 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 23 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “* * * [Wjhere it appears to the trial judge from the evidence that the informer’s testimony will not be relevant and helpful to an accused’s defense, or necessary to a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence, then the identity of the informer can remain undisclosed, and that person is not exposed unnecessarily to the highly dangerous position of being a known informant. Our only concern upon appellate review of the trial court’s determination is to insure that it did not abuse its discretion in this matter.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Beck · State v. Hinojos

2. “If it appears from the evidence * * * or from other showing by a party that an informer will be able to give testimony that is relevant and helpful to the defense of an accused, or is necessary to a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence in a criminal case * * * and the state * * * invokes the privilege, the judge shall give the state * * * an opportunity to show in camera facts relevant to determining whether the informer can, in fact, supply that testimony * * *. If the judge finds that there is a reasonable probability that the informer can give the testimony, and the state ... elects not to disclose his identity, the judge on motion of the defendant * * * shall dismiss the charges to which the testimony would relate, and the judge may do so on his own motion.”

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

3. “While we are cognizant of the ... need for disclosure of all relevant, helpful or necessary evidence, we are equally aware of the state’s need for reliable, confidential informants, especially in the enforcement of narcotics laws. To require the state to reveal the informer’s identity in every instance where that person has witnessed and helped arrange the drug transaction, without first determining whether the informer’s testimony will be at all relevant or necessary to the defense, would unreasonably cripple the state’s efforts at drug law enforcement.”

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