In more than three dozen cases across the country, rap lyrics are playing a major role in criminal trials. Gangsta rap is a genre of rap music that embraces a violence, drug deals, and shootings. The explosion in the use of rap lyrics at trial are causing some criminal defense lawyers concern. The lyrics
One of the major DUI investigation tools that police use are the standardized field sobriety tests. Most citizens accused of driving while intoxicated think that if they pass these tests they will not be arrested for DUI. Little do they know they can still be arrested, prosecuted, and face trial even if they pass the
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.
In almost every DUI arrest warrant that I review , there is a common denominator. The defendant has red , bloodshot , and glassy eyes. Alcohol is not the only cause for red bloodshot and watery eyes. Here is a complete list ;<!–
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I had not followed the Drew Peterson murder trial until a friend asked me if I thought he was guilty. I did not know much until the verdict came down. It appears some hearsay evidence persuaded the jurors to return a guilty verdict. A new rule of evidence was passed in 2008 which allowed some
I did not realize an iphone had a voice recorder until this summer. If your questioned by police , should you record your conversation with the police. I did a quick check and there does not appear to be any laws in Tennessee prohibiting a citizen from tape recording their conversations with police officers .
I watched a portion of a trial today while I was waiting for my case to be called in the Birch Building. I have a case next week withe the same prosecutor and just wanted to watch. One evidence issue came to mind during the trial which sparked a thought. Normally , when a video
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uLi4ScNyUqQ%26hl%3Den_US%26fs%3D1%26
The video in this post is addressing the "exit sequence" component of a DUI or drunk driving investigation.The police officer is looking for evidence of impairment as a driver steps and walks from the car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , the police will be looking for the following clues.
In Tennessee Criminal courtrooms, probation violation hearings are sometimes difficult to win. However, I ran across some good case law to help win these cases.
Often, a probation violation warrant is taken out due to a new criminal charge. In State of Tennessee v. James Butler, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee held that