8 canonical passages across 5 cases, quoted by 56 opinions in total. These passages cluster together because the same opinions keep quoting them side by side — they state parts of one doctrine. The anchor passage is from Commonwealth v. Zamani.
| # | Case | Flag | Canonical passage | Citers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commonwealth v. Zamani Anchor | green | “the primary objective of statutory construction is to ascertain and give effect to legislative intent.” | 17 |
| 2 | Armstrong v. Commonwealth | green | “we will not apply 'an unreasonably restrictive interpretation of the statute' that would subvert the legislative intent expressed therein.” | 12 |
| 3 | Hamm v. Commonwealth | green | “if a statement is offered for any purpose other than to prove the truth or falsity of the contents of the statement, such as to explain the declarant's conduct or that of the person to whom it was made, it is not objectionable as hearsay.” | 8 |
| 4 | Esteban v. Commonwealth | green | “with reference to its subject matter, the object sought to be attained, and the legislative purpose in enacting it; the provisions should receive a construction that will render it harmonious with that purpose rather than one which will defeat it.” | 7 |
| 5 | Esteban v. Commonwealth | green | “statute must be construed with reference to its subject matter, the object sought to be attained, and the legislative purpose in enacting it; the provisions should receive a construction that will render it harmonious with that purpose rather than one which will defeat it.” | 4 |
| 6 | Wade v. Commonwealth | green | “cannot be extended by implication, or be made to include cases which are not within the letter and spirit of the statute.” | 3 |
| 7 | Wade v. Commonwealth | green | “we will not apply 'an unreasonably restrictive interpretation of the statute' that would subvert the legislative intent expressed therein,” | 3 |
| 8 | Esteban v. Commonwealth | green | “a statute must be construed with reference to its subject matter, the object sought to be attained, and the legislative purpose in enacting it; the provisions should receive a construction that will render it harmonious with that purpose rather than one which will defeat it.” | 2 |
A red or yellow flag on a member means the underlying case has negative treatment — for those, check the case page before relying on the passage.