One of the first areas where our criminal defense law firm looks for irregularities is the arrest record. For that reason, it is important to understand the process. As background, the police are bound by certain legal procedures during an arrest, defined as the moment when an individual is taken into custody. Before the police […]
Although criminal procedures are intended to produce justice, the justice system, like all areas of life, is susceptible to human error. For that reason, our Tennessee law firm has always maintained that criminal appeals should be regarded as an essential aspect of the system, not merely a last ditch effort. In a recent example, a […]
Getting a fair day in criminal court is the constitutional right of all Americans. However, getting offered the best plea deal is not. According to a recent article, a criminal defendant’s financial resources might affect the outcome of any negotiations with prosecutors. Specifically, a program called diversion may not be available to all criminal defendants. […]
Although DNA evidence may be characterized as irrefutable proof in television and movie dramatizations, real life applications raise some concerns. Specifically, there are variables that can affect the reliability of DNA evidence. One of the biggest problems with DNA samples is contamination, resulting in tainted evidence. DNA evidence must be properly collected, processed with care […]
A recent article questioned the appropriateness of penalties for drug possession for personal use. The question affects more people than readers might realize: An American is arrested every 25 seconds for possession of personal use drugs. Although officials may claim that their enforcement efforts target those who sell drugs, those who possess drugs are arrested at […]
A former Tennessee sheriff’s post-conviction legal efforts have paid off: The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals recently ordered a new trial. The former sheriff was arrested for allegedly trying to shoot his wife. He was formally charged with attempted voluntary manslaughter, and the jury in his criminal trial found him guilty in February 2013. The […]
