929 So. 2d 992 - Ex Parte Eason’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. “"Because a judgment of conviction does not have to be phrased in formal language or include particular words of adjudication, we hold that if the record is clear that the trial court intended to adjudicate a defendant guilty and the sentence order necessarily involves the substance of the adjudication, then a judgment of conviction has been entered and the defendant may appeal. "Considering the whole record in this case, it is clear that the trial court intended to adjudicate Eason guilty in response to his guilty plea, and the sentencing order necessarily involved the substance of the adjudication. The record establishes that after the trial court found that Eason had entered his plea voluntarily and knowingly, the trial court accepted the plea and found him guilty of first-degree theft of property. Several months later, the trial court sentenced Eason in accordance with the range of punishment for a conviction of first-degree theft of property, a Class B felony. The record unequivocally establishes that Eason was aware that he was being sentenced for a conviction of first-degree theft of property. The record also establishes that the trial judge believed he had adjudicated Eason guilty of theft of property, that he entered the proper sentence, and that the conviction and sentence were ready for appeal. The trial court's determination of guilt and the' entry of the sentence adequately establishes that the trial court adjudicated *Page 1018 Eason guilty and that the convictio”

   4 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. State v. D.L.A. · Walker v. State

2. “"A person convicted of a criminal offense in the circuit court or other court from which an appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court or Court of Criminal Appeals may appeal from the judgment of conviction to the appropriate appellate court."”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Walker v. State · Benn v. State

3. “"David Eason pleaded guilty to first-degree theft of property, a violation of § 13A-8-3 , Ala. Code 1975. At the time of the guilty-plea colloquy, the trial court found Eason guilty of first-degree theft, but withheld formal adjudication to allow Eason to apply for a pretrial diversion program. After Eason's application for pretrial diversion was denied, the trial court sentenced Eason to five years' imprisonment. Before sentencing Eason, the trial court did not formally pronounce him guilty of first-degree theft or enter a judgment of guilt."”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. State v. D.L.A. · 975 So. 2d 1014 - State v. D.L.A.