Judge Mark Bennett wrote a recent obituary on the fate of the American trial lawyer. I must agree with Judge Bennett’s comments. The American trial lawyer is now a memory from times long past or in the pages of a legal thriller from John Grisham or Michael Connelly . Why did the trial lawyer get placed
December 2013
Is an Older Juror More Liklely to Convict ?
Follow Up To A Modest Proposal
Yesterday’s post was my modest proposal for Governor Haslam to commute all those on death row to a sentence of life without parole instead of the death penalty. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts contacted me today with the cost of court appointed lawyers defending those facing the death penalty.
The cost to Tennessee…
A Modest Proposal To End The Death Penalty In Tennessee
Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey made the news when he called for Tennessee to start executing those on death row. 79 people are on death row in Tennessee. Tennessee has not executed anyone in years. Delays are numerous as the appeals process is long and hard. With the delays , the victim’s families play the waiting…
A Lawyer’s First Court Appearance
Last week , a young lawyer had a first court appearance . Fear seeped in after years of college and law school . Uncertainty was the mood of the day . Few law schools truly prepare a lawyer for their first court appearance . I was lucky. I clerked for a Nashville trial judge and felt comfortable…
Criminal Law Tip of the Week
I have never figured out who reads this blog. I think mostly criminal defense lawyers and a few prosecutors. In that vein, I am starting a new feature that will be posted on Mondays. It will be the criminal law tip of the week. I just hope I have a tip each week.
My first…
Kenny Britt Records Police Officers
Troubled Titan’s wide receiver Kenny Britt now uses his smart phone to record the police when they question him. USA Today reported that a number of NFL players are now video recording their encounters with police officers. Britt is no stranger to the law having been arrested or facing charges since 2010. Britt now reports that…
Sycamore Row’s Evidence Problem
I have a confession. I love to read John Grisham’s books. I just finished Sycamore Row. It was a great story. Many of the characters were from Grisham’s first book . Jake Brigance returns to try a will contest case. The trial revisits emotions from a time long ago. I highly recommend the book.…