Buchanan v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

5 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 5 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““In interpreting statutes, we do not interpret a statute that is facially clear and unambiguous. Rather, we give the statute its plain and clear meaning.” Hampton v. State, 921 N.E.2d 27, 30 (Ind.Ct.App.2010) (internal quotations omitted), reh’g denied, trans. denied. “[I]f a statute is ambiguous, we seek to ascertain and give effect to the legislature’s intent.” Id. “The best evidence of legislative intent is the language of the statute itself, and all words must be given their plain and ordinary meaning unless otherwise indicated by statute.” Id. (quoting Abney v. State, 811 N.E.2d 415, 419 (Ind.Ct.App.2004), adopted by 821 N.E.2d 375 (Ind.2005)). “[P]enal statutes must be strictly construed against the State, but a statute should not be overly narrowed so as to exclude cases fairly covered by it and should be interpreted so as to give efficient operation to the expressed intent of the legislature.” Id. (quoting Redden v. State, 850 N.E.2d 451, 463 (Ind.Ct.App.2006) (quoting Baird v. State, 604 N.E.2d 1170, 1190 (Ind.1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 893 , 114 S.Ct. 255 , 126 L.Ed.2d 208 (1993)), trans. denied). “Also, we assume that the language in a statute was used intentionally and that every word should be given effect and meaning.” Id. (quoting Merritt v. State, 829 N.E.2d 472, 474 (Ind.2005)). “We seek to give a statute practical application by construing it in a way favoring public convenience and avoiding absurdity, hardship, and injustice.” Id.”

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

2. ““In interpreting statutes, we do not interpret a statute that is facially clear and unambiguous. Rather, we give the statute its plain and clear meaning.” “[I]f a statute is ambiguous, we seek to ascertain and give effect to the legislature’s intent.” “The best evidence of legislative intent is the language of the statute itself, and all words must be given their plain and ordinary meaning unless otherwise indicated by statute.” “[P]enal statutes must be strictly construed against the State, but a statute should not be overly narrowed so as to exclude cases fairly covered by it and should be interpreted so as to give efficient operation to the expressed intent of the legislature.” “Also, we assume that the language in a statute was used intentionally and that every word should be given effect and meaning.” “We seek to give a statute practical application by construing it in a way favoring public convenience and avoiding absurdity, hardship, and injustice.””

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

3. “a person who has been convicted of at least one (1) of the following offenses: (1) Child molesting involving sexual intercourse or deviate sexual conduct (IC 35-42-4-3(a)), if: (A) the offense is committed by a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age; and (B) the victim is less than twelve (12) years of age. (2). ...”

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