MS Bar Criminal Defense Section Annual Meeting was a Success!

Thank you to Judges Smith Murphey (Tallahatchie, Panola, Yalobusha, Tate), Judge Carol White-Richard (Washington, Sunflower, Leflore) and Judge David McCarty (Mississippi Court of Appeals) for their panel discussion of docket management, jury instructions, and a lightning round of likes and dislikes in trial.

We had an excellent year, with the criminal defense section growing in membership by a record number and increasing revenue. We have a very active listserv where we have engaged discussions on how to improve practice in this area of law, as well as multiple CLE opportunities.

Proud to pass the gavel to Sellers Aafram as he becomes the 2025-2026 section chair.

Attorney Carr - Presenting at the MS Bar Annual Summer School on Criminal Law Hot Topics

Enjoyed presenting at the MS Bar Annual Summer School on criminal law hot topics with fellow presenters:

Angel Myers McIlrath - District Attorney for the 19th Circuit Court District, serving the citizens of Jackson, George and Greene Counties

Mike Scott - Senior Litigator at the Office of Federal Public Defender, Jackson, MS

Aafram Sellers - private practice attorney in Jackson, MS specializing in state and federal criminal defense and Vice Chair of the Criminal Defense Section of the Mississippi Bar

We discussed best practices in mitigation during plea negotiations, new approaches in restorative justice, war stories, and even a bit of the Diddy trial.

Tunica County Criminal Trial Term Final Week:

Five felony cases were dismissed for various reasons today, including two cases of Carr Law Firm clients - one for Armed Robbery and another for Aggravated Assault.

No jury trials.

Court is finished for the term. Will resume in six months.

We have a new baby at the office!! So happy for you Nia Jay- she’s perfect!

Tunica County criminal trial term update:

Week 1: one case was tried where a defendant was found not guilty of felony fleeing from law enforcement from a 2024 incident

Week 2: one case was tried where a defendant was charged in one count of sexual battery and two counts of child fondling from events allegedly occurring in 2010 to 2012 (thirteen to fifteen years ago) - jury was hung on all three counts and a mistrial was declared

🚨Not Guilty!🚨

Congratulations to Carr Law Firm client Antonio Watson who was found not guilty at trial today on a charge of Felony Fleeing. Thank you for trusting us to handle your case.

If you or a loved one have a criminal charge in north Mississippi, please call CLF at 662-441-1529 for a free consultation.

Bolivar Co Criminal Trial Term Spring 2025

Over the course of the 6 week term, multiple pleas were taken. Three very large and complicated first degree murder trials were resolved via plea to lesser included offenses of either second degree murder or manslaughter.

One jury trial was held in the six week term which resulted in verdicts of not guilty as to two defendants in a charge of first degree murder.

All cases not resolved will be continued to the next 6 week term in November-December 2025

🚨Summer Intern Alert!🚨 meet Maneia Sparks, our firm’s 2025 summer intern!

A Renova, Mississippi native, Maneia is a second-year law student at Widener Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D) student in Criminal Justice Leadership at Liberty University.

At Widener, Maneia is an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and has served as a Representative for the Black Law Students Association.

A 2021 Hall of Fame Inductee, Maneia earned a Bachelor's of Social Science Degree in Social Justice & Criminology and a Master's of Social Science in Criminal Justice & Criminology from Delta State University, as well as a Paralegal Degree enhanced by a Career and Technical Certification from Hinds College.

Maneia's academic achievements are paired with practical experience in criminal law and personal injury law. Maneia's plans after law school is to return back to Mississippi and continue her commitment to justice and legal advocacy.

Attorney Mike Carr is Honored to join the panel discussion at the MS Bar Summer School as Chair of the Criminal Defense Section

Week Long Statutory Rape Trial in Hinds County Ends in a Mistrial

Week long statutory rape trial in Hinds County last week. After 3 days of testimony with 12 witnesses for the State, 1 witness for the Defense, and two days of deliberations, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict and a mistrial was declared.

Trial will be reset in the next three months.

Bolivar County Criminal Trial Term Week 2:

Jury trial held where two defendants were charged with First Degree Murder from an Oct 2023 incident. One was represented by Carr Law Firm and the other was represented by atty Chris Powell.

Both Defendants were found not guilty.

Coahoma Criminal Trial Weeks Cancelled!

The criminal trial term weeks in Coahoma County of May 12 and May 19 have been cancelled by judicial order due to short staffing in the DA’s office. Approximately 40 trials were set for these two weeks for plea or trial, with 12 being murders or manslaughter - some dating back to 2017.

These cases will be pushed back to July/August.

Congratulations to CLF Intern Serenity Johnson!

Congratulations to our 2024-25 intern, Serenity Johnson, as she finishes her last week with us and will soon walk the stage for her diploma. After a couple of weeks of well-earned vacation, Serenity will start this summer at Ole Miss working toward a masters in Homeland Security.

We have very much enjoyed having you here at the firm and best wishes to you in the future! - CLF

Congratulations to Attorney Meg Coker on her one year anniversary of law practice!

In this short period of time, Meg has assisted with opening and managing our Tunica branch, trying multiple felony jury trials ranging from property crimes to violent crimes to first-degree murder in multiple counties in North Mississippi.

Meg also manages a significant justice court docket in Tunica County, volunteers in multiple capacities, including at her church and Odessa food pantry, and still finds the time to be a wonderful spouse and mother.

We are so proud of Meg during this first year and thankful every day to have her as an associate at CLF.

Margaret T. “Meg” Coker

Well-Being in Law Week

Studies since the 1990s have consistently shown that lawyers have higher rates of depression, problematic alcohol use, and anxiety than the general population. These higher rates show themselves in our colleagues as job dissatisfaction, incivility, unethical behavior, malpractice, and suicidal ideation. All of which lead to a negative perception of lawyers by the public. The Mississippi Bar is celebrating Well-Being in Law Week (May 5-9) by recognizing those legal employers and individuals who have taken part in its Well-Being Initiative by signing the Well-Being Pledge.

Carr Law Firm is proud to make this pledge for ourselves and our employees

Tunica County Final Week Spring Criminal Term Update:

One case was tried. Defendant was found not guilty on all counts in a multiple count indictment involving alleged embezzlement of approximately $765,000 from the Tunica Housing Authority

Attorney Mike Carr Presenting at the MS Public Defenders Conference

Enjoyed the opportunity to present at the Mississippi State Public Defenders conference regarding effective use of demonstrative aids at trial.

Rosedale Criminal Term Week 2 Update:

Carr Law Firm represented an individual charged with Ct I: First Degree Murder and Ct II: Aggravated Assault. These charges stem from a shooting incident at a block party at Waxhaw Park in October 2021 where two people were killed and multiple people injured.

After a four day trial, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision as to any count and said they were hopelessly deadlocked.

The Court declared a mistrial.

This case will be retried at the earliest in October 2025.

Attorney Mike Carr at the Mississippi Association for Justice Seminar

Attorney Mike Carr presenting at the Mississippi Association for Justice 2025 Criminal Law seminar in Crystal Springs. Titled “Tickets to the Show”, this lecture discussed effective use of visual/demonstrative aides during cross examination and closing argument, particularly focusing on primary source data such as body cam footage.

Big thank you to Kitchens Law Firm for hosting their annual crawfish boil after the event for all the attendees, politicians, law enforcement, and friends. Mississippi hospitality at its finest.

Order Canceling Trial Due to no Court Reporter

This makes 5 full months and 5 criminal court terms in all 5 courthouses where Judge Nowell cannot have a trial due to lack of a court reporter.

We have people sitting in jails throughout the 11th Circuit Court District who cannot have their day in court.

We have victims of crime who cannot have their day in court.

The Court has to lower bonds and release individuals pre-trial who they normally may not release - because people cannot be perpetually held without a certain and speedy trial date.

All because of lack of a court reporter.

Fortunately I’ve just been told Judge Nowell has a court reporter starting July 1st.