State v. Powell’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

13 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 13 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[PJroof of constructive possession requires, at a minimum, evidence that defendant had access to and control over the premises where the substance was found. Defendant’s exclusive control of the premises is enough to raise an inference of possession and control of the substance. Joint control of the premises, however, requires some further evidence or admission connecting the accused with the illegal drugs. It follows that merely being a guest in the premises of another where drugs are found is not sufficient to sustain a conviction for possession of controlled substances. The State must present some incriminating circumstance that implies that the accused knew of the presence of the drugs and that the same were under his control. (Internal citations omitted)”

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

2. “The State is not required to show actual, physical possession of the substance to establish possession, but may show constructive possession by circumstantial evidence.”

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

3. “(1) conscious and intentional possession of the controlled substance ... and (2) awareness of the presence and nature of the substance.”

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