Month: July 2011
Evidence of Gang Affiliation Relevant to Motive and Intent
In Tennessee criminal proceedings, character evidence is not generally admissible to prove that a defendant acted in conformity with a character trait. So the State would not be allowed to introduce evidence of gang affiliation to show that a defendant, as a gang member, is likely to be guilty of the types of crimes that gang
Underage Consumption Conviction Overturned
Post-conviction relief from a plea agreement is uncommon in Tennessee criminal law practice. Post-conviction relief from a misdemeanor plea to underage consumption is all the more rare. It was granted by the Court of Criminal Appeals in the recent case of State v. Word, M2011-00082-CCA-R3-PC (Tenn.Crim,.App. 7-18-2011). Mr. Word, without counsel at the time, pled guilty in Putnam County
From Cell Phone Photography to Search Warrant
Wal-Mart usually isn’t a place that most people would consider ideal for some photography practice. But for one man and his cell phone, it turned out to be a particularly bad idea. One leading indirectly to a felony conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor. In the case of State v. Herrera, W2010-01826-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn.Crim.App. 7-5-2011), the Defendant
Sometimes It’s Just Bad Luck (Search and Seizure)
The recent Sixth Circuit case of U.S. v. Godfrey, 10-4240 (6th Cir. 6-28-2011) is an interesting example of the “good faith” exception to the exclusionary rule. Generally, evidence obtained from a warrantless search and seizure, not covered by a recognized exception to the warrant requirement, is inadmissible against an accused in a criminal case. The exclusionary rule exists