Atlanta Braves pitcher Deunte Heath has been charged with two prostitution related misdemeanors during spring training. It appears he was arrested during a sting operation.The Braves suspended him indefinitely.The reason this report caught my attention is that the Metro Nashville Police also operate prostitution stings.
Metro Nashville Police also use prostitution stings to arrest those who may
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6pSMvUiITpc%26hl%3Den_US%26fs%3D1%26
One of the main concerns of those charged with a crime in Tennessee is can my criminal record be expunged.Maybe.I created a video on "How to Expunge Your Record." In most cases, you can do it yourself. As part of my legal services for criminal cases, I do the expungement for you if you
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IAnu-h-MLc8%26hl%3Den_US%26fs%3D1%26
I get a lot of questions about shoplifting cases in Nashville.Should you get an attorney ? Can I keep it off my record ? What happens if your convicted ? I created a short video to help answer some of your questions.If you have any further questions please feel free to leave a question in the comment section
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
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.
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
Gun charges in Nashville ,Tennessee are serious business especially if you have a felony record.Rule 1,if you have a record please do not carry a weapon.You may wind up charged in federal court.There may be some new laws in Tennessee this term in the state legislature like the guns in bars bill.Continue Reading Gun Charges in Nashville
“David Dow” ” Dahlia Lithwick” “Criminal Justice System”
Continue Reading The American Legal System
It happens to every criminal lawyer both prosecutor and defense attorney. What to you do when your witness is missing ? Florida trial lawyer Elliott Wilcox, who writes the publication Trial Theater , wrote an article on his weekly newsletter on tips when your witness flies the coop or is late to court. I highly recommend signing up for his free report Here’s his tips plus my take.
1. Avoid the situation. Use your support staff as your witness coordinator. The District Attorney’s Office in Nashville , Tn.uses victim witness coordinators to coordinate witnesses. Use your legal assistant or paralegal to do the same thing.Written directions are helpful to give the witness as well as telling them to be present 30 minute early. I would also suggest your witness coordinator sit at counsel table during the trial.Be mindful to instruct them regarding the sequestration rule .
2.Have a filler witness ready to go.I don’t know about this tip. I want to keep my witnesses short so some D.A doesn’t hammer an unsuspecting witness.
3.Take the heat. I like this one best.You have the law license.You take responsibility. A judge I clerked for gave me this advice and I still use it today.Most judges will give an attorney a little room if a witness is not there on time.
4.Ask for a break. If your staff has done their job they will pass a note that the alibi witness just got arrested. Ask for a break.Collect your thoughts and blow up the witnesses cell phone .