February 2010

Mortgage fraud cases are on the rise across the country.The FBI is holding a mortgage fraud task force meeting in Miami ,Fl. In Florida , the mortgage fraud problem has reached epidemic proportions. Mortgage fraud cases have even popped up in the Federal District Courts here in Tennessee.The Wall Street Journal has recently published stories…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OCbePVaXBwo%26hl%3Den_US%26fs%3D1%26

Drug Interdiction cases are on the rise on Tennessee interstates A trip down I-40 or I-24 will reveal all types of police drug interdiction units.I prepared a short video of the ins and outs of defending a drug interdiction case.Here’s some tips on how to beat a drug interdiction case.



Charles Dean Hood sits on death row in Texas. After the trial , it was discovered that Judge Verla Sue Hood and the prosecutor Thomas S. O’Connell were having an extramarital love affair during the trial.Recently, Texas’s highest court for criminal matters rejected Mr.Dean’s appeal.The court held Mr.Hood waited too long to raise the issue  of whether a love affair between the judge and the prosecutor could create a conflict of interest.

 “A judge who has engaged in an intimate, extramarital, sexual relationship with the prosecutor trying a capital murder case before her has a conflict of interest and must recuse herself,” the brief from the ethics experts said. “Of all the courts to have considered the issue, only the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in this case failed to recognize this imperative.” Reported Adam Liptak of the New York Times.

A former governor, former FBI director,U.S. Attorney, and a host of other judges and prosecutors have filed a brief in support of Mr. Hood’s appeal to the United Supreme Court.

Continue Reading Justice Texas Style

 Tennessee’s version of the DUI Ignition Interlock Law has moved forward. Currently there are two  of the  being proposed. House Bill 2768 by Representative Shipley is less restrictive than House Bill 2917 which is being pushed by MADD.House Bill 2917 would require an ignition interlock device of everyone that is convicted of drunk driving in Tennessee with no exceptions.Continue Reading Tennessee’s DUI Ignition Interlock Law Moves Forward

A North Carolina special state innocence commission recommended that a man convicted of murdering a prostitute be set free.A three judge panel found by "clear and convincing evidence" that Gregory F.Taylor was innocent and had been convicted with questionable evidence and untrustworthy testimony.Mr.Taylor is free today.

North Carolina is the only state that has established an Innocence Inquiry Commission.A eight member panel reviews claims of innocence by inmates.After a review of the claim, the case may be sent to a three judge panel if the first panel finds the claim has merit.

"North Carolina’s commission is an important model for the adjudication of innocence claims"’ said Barry Scheck of the New York Innocence Project.The Innocence Project uses DNA evidence to overturn wrongful convictions.However, over 90% of criminal cases  does not involve DNA evidence reports Robbie Brown of the New York Times.Continue Reading North Carolina Frees Inmate

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice  has announced a special showing of the BBC documentary "The Truth About Crime". The documentary is a fascinating study of the effects of crime and law enforcement in a town in England.It will be shown on the web and you can register here to watch the program.After the showing…

Most counties outside of Nashville Davidson County use blood tests to determine blood alcohol concentration.Most police departments in Willamson County such as Franklin Police Department and Brentwood Police Department always request a DUI suspect to submit to a blood alcohol test.Also Sumner County law enforcement agencies like Hendersonville Police Department and Gallatin Police Department use…