News
American Board of Criminal Lawyers Grants Lee Davis Fellowship
Supreme Court To Hear Tennessee Case Regarding Gun Ban For Domestic Abusers
U.S. v. Castleman The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a Tennessee case about whether one man's conviction for domestic assault is sufficient to justify him being unable to own a gun. The case,...
Supreme Court Tackles Two Drug Cases
Last week, the Supreme Court heard two important criminal law cases involving drugs, both of which fit with a larger theme of clarifying what prosecutors must prove before they can successfully...
Sixth Circuit Grants Writ Of Habeas Corpus In Tennessee Murder Case
A recent Sixth Circuit opinion concerned a Tennessee man, Ronald Michael Cauthern v. Roland Colson, who was convicted of murder and rape and sentenced to death for his crimes. Cauthern sought a writ...
Obiter Dictum
Obiter dictum is something that is said in passing. It is an observation or opinion of the court but one not necessary to the decision at hand. It is sometimes a persuasive point but not relevant to...
What is Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case?
In a criminal case, the prosecution will need to prove or disprove a disputed fact. This duty is termed the burden of proof. Generally, the prosecution will be proving that the defendant is guilty...
Twanna Blair’s attorney says she can’t be retried in 1999 Valentine’s Day triple slaying
Twanna Blair, right, talks to her attorney, Lee Davis, in this photo from her 2009 trial in Bradley County. Photo by Angela Lewis Foster /Chattanooga Times Free Press. The three victims were bound...
Supreme Court Clarifies Standard for Review of Judicial Diversion
The Tennessee Supreme Court in a unanimous opinion clarified the standard of appellate review for a trial court's decision regarding judicial diversion, the Administrative Office of the Court...
CCA affirms dismissal of all charges against Davis & Hoss client
Mug Shot Websites Receive Scrutiny From Lawmakers
The New York Times discussed the case of a college senior from Texas, Maxwell Birnbaum, who was arrested for possession of ecstasy during his freshman year while on a road trip with college buddies....