🚨Case Dismissed!🚨

Last week our firm represented Tristan Morris, a young man who was pulled over by Southaven Police department in a car he had just gotten as his high school graduation present. Tristan had just turned 18. Officers removed all three occupants of Tristan’s car, which included his two friends who were 16 years old, and still in high school.

One of Tristan’s passengers had a backpack with a stolen handgun inside. It was old, rusted, and would not fire, but it was a stolen. The minor said it was his, and Tristan did not know about it. That minor was charged with a felony.

Southaven officers then told Tristan that because he was the driver and owner of the car, he was “also responsible for whatever other people brought into his car.” Even in a closed backpack. Tristan was charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

Law: A driver of a car is not responsible for what others bring into that car, in a closed container or pocket, and admit they own. That’s theirs.

You are not required to nor expected to serve essentially as TSA security personnel patting down or checking the pockets or backpacks of your passengers. That’s just not a thing.

In our opinion, Southaven PD just wanted to add as many charges as they could in this case. This created more money for fines and fees and city revenue and holds time over people’s heads “in case they mess up again”.

This is not appropriate policing. Our client now (1) had an arrest on his background involving a minor child, (2) had to spend $$ to retain counsel to fight the charge, and most importantly to Tristan, (3) could not pass a background check to get into the US Army bc he had a pending crime “involving a child”.

Fortunately, Tristan (mainly his mom) called the right place. Once we provided the full picture to the city prosecutor, showed the facts did not fit the elements of the charge, argued the public policy considerations of using the “contrib to minor” statute in this manner (pat down checks by drivers for everyone and every time in your car??), the prosecutor agreed and the charge was dismissed.

Though it took waiting in court all afternoon and being placed at the end of the docket until our case was finally heard at approximately 6pm - We were thankful to have a reasonable prosecutor who also knew the law, applied that law to the facts, and knew the right thing to do was to tell his own officers - “no.”

Now time to clean up Tristan’s record so he can join the Army and start his public service. His mom was beaming.

If you or a loved one have a pending criminal charge, please consider calling Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

🚨Case Dismissed!🚨

DISCLAIMER: You can’t make this stuff up.

CLF client James Johnson, a law enforcement officer in the Delta, was pulled over in Montgomery County because the headlight was out on his rented UHaul. During the traffic stop, Mr. Johnson told the officer that he too was a police officer, having worked in the past in Ruleville, Tutweiler, and Shelby.

This was apparently the wrong thing to say. The detaining Winona PD officer, instead of giving a warning, ticket, or assisting with the problem, says “prove it”. He demands Mr. Johnson prove he is a law enforcement officer then and there on the side of the road. Mr. Johnson cannot.

Mr. Johnson was arrested on the spot for Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer on January 8, 2025, and made to post a $4,755.00 bond.

After he bonds out, Mr. Johnson then provided the City of Winona proof that he was in fact a law enforcement officer by providing a copy of his LEO Certification and a pay stub from the City of Shelby.

Though this should conclude the matter, it does not.

Instead of accepting this as proof and dismissing the misdemeanor charge of Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer, the City of Winona DOUBLED DOWN and charged Mr. Johnson with the felony crime of Tampering With Physical Evidence.

This is because the pay stub that Johnson provided was from January 2025, but the Shelby city board minutes reflected he was not hired until February 2025.

Winona PD alleged that the January pay stub must be fraudulent. Winona PD would not accept the fact that law enforcement officers get hired and get paid at small towns all across this state PRIOR to being officially hired at a board meeting in the city minutes.

When a police chief needs help, he doesn’t have to wait for a board that meets once a month. Citizens who need law enforcement protection do not have to wait either. Police chiefs have authority to hire on a probationary temp basis prior to approval by a city board. This is common knowledge.

Yet - an Investigstor in Winona took the case to grand jury and indicted Mr. Johnson for the felony crime of Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Mr. Johnson was then made to post a $25,000 bond.

All through trying to prove he was indeed a law enforcement officer, Mr Johnson now finds himself (1) under a pending felony indictment and (2) has his law enforcement certification suspended - due to a pending felony indictment.

Mr. Johnson called our firm for help. He called the right place.

Though it took a year, and specifically thanks to the advocacy of managing partner atty Jessica Carr, we were able to get all felony charges dismissed WITH PREJUDICE.

Now it is time to go to work to repair Mr. Johnson’s certification. Which we will.

If you or a loved one have a pending criminal accusation, please consider calling Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

We work for Justice. We get results.

🚨Another Motion to Suppress Search Granted!🚨

Officer makes legit traffic stop on our client. Tells our client and passenger to get out of the truck.

Searches client. Finds nothing. Searches truck. Finds nothing.

Officer turns to female passenger (not under arrest and not a suspect) and says "open your purse".

Without consent and without a warrant, officer shoves his hand in purse, rummages around, and removes our client's phone.

Officer proceeds to then get a search warrant for phone, subsequently finds what he believes to be evidence of stolen ag equipment, which he uses to indict our client.

We moved to challenge the roadside search, arguing that an non suspect passenger in a car has a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding things in her purse - including a phone.

Fortunately our client was recording on her personal phone during the officer search, and was able to document the officer improperly reaching into her purse in real time. Pic attached.

Judge granted our motion. Phone seizure and subsequent search suppressed.

If you or a loved one have a criminal case in north Mississippi, please consider calling Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529 M-F.

🚨Case Dismissed!🚨

CLF client pulled over on traffic stop. Did not consent to search. Officer called K9 Unit. Alerted on car. Searched car. Client arrested on possession of small amt of THC gummies and a modified gun.

Upon review of the body cam, officers admitted on audio that dog “was not trained in marijuana”. Also appeared the K9 officer possibly coached the dog to sit and alert. This triggered authority for a search.

Upon filing of our motion to suppress but prior to a hearing, the assistant district attorney in this particular circuit reviewed the evidence, considered it in a new light, and agreed to remand the case. We commend this prosecutor. It’s not weakness. It’s not being “soft on crime.”

In contrast, this is a prime example of a prosecutor considering all the evidence, and doing justice. This was the right result, instead of bogging down a docket with flawed cases.

This was a nice phone call to make to the client, who is an over the road truck driver with a young family.

If you or a loved one have a criminal charge, please consider calling Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

Atty Mike Carr Introduces Speaker at MS Bar Criminal Defense Section Meeting

Proud to introduce our friend and outstanding trial attorney and adjunct law professor Jacinta Hall-Weeden as a speaker at the business meeting of the Criminal Defense Section of the Mississippi Bar in Biloxi.

Attorney Hall-Weeden spoke on the Mississippi Rules of Evidence, including some lesser used rules which, if used effectively, can even further improve results for clients at trial.

🚨Case Dismissed Against CLF Client Sgt. Gregory Capers🚨

In 2023, Sgt Gregory Capers of the Indianola Police Department was involved in an on-duty shooting which resulted in substantial injury to an 11 year old boy.

Sgt Capers was charged criminally. He was then sued in state court. He was then sued in federal court.

As of today, all cases are now officially dismissed.

The litigation in this matter has gone on for more than 3 years. Carr Law Firm, as attorneys for the Police Benevolent Association, working with an outstanding team of lawyers for the City of Indianola represented by Jacks, Griffith, Luciano PA, have been there with him every step of the way.

The federal judge, in his 16 page opinion, wrote the following which sums up the case:

“Murry’s theory of what happened - that Capers knew or should have known it was her unarmed eleven-year-old son running at him - is blatantly contradicted by Capers body-camera video.”

If there were ever a case to show as “Exhibit A” for the need for body cameras - not just for the protection of the public but for the protection of the officers - this is the case.

All officers need cameras. All agencies need to be fully funded by their cities and counties to make sure cameras are on and working at all times.

If you are a law enforcement officer and would like to consider joining the PBA, please call us at 662-441-1529.

🚨ANOTHER NOT GUILTY x2!!🚨

After 4 days of trial, a Tunica County jury found CLF client Tony McCray not guilty of Ct I: Conspiracy and not guilty of Ct II: Grand Larceny $5k to $25k.

Tony, a former chef at Gold Strike, was charged along with others of the theft of food related items.

Although he had to wait 3 years for trial, we are glad that Tony stood tall, trusted us as we worked to clear his name by presenting all the facts and arguments to the jury.

Pictured: CLF atty Brady Keeton, Tony McCray, Tamekka McCray, CLF atty Mike Carr and CLF intern McKenna Wilson

If you or a loved one are charged with a crime in north Mississippi, please call Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

We serve Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica, Desoto, Tate, Panola, Tallahatchie, Washington, Sunflower, and Leflore Counties.

🚨BOLIVAR COUNTY FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION REVERSED AND REMANDED - FOR A SECOND TIME!🚨

The Mississippi Court of Appeals unanimously reversed a 2024 first degree murder conviction of CLF client Jacqueze Marshall. This is the second time Mr. Marshall’s murder conviction has been reversed by a higher court on appeal.

In a 17 page opinion, all ten justices of the the Court of Appeals unanimously found that Mr. Marshall was denied his right to a fair trial.

Many thanks to long time friend Atty Mollie McMillin of Jackson for successfully briefing the appeal.

We understand that reversals of convictions, particularly in murder cases, present strong feelings on both sides. An individual was killed. A family has lost their loved one. We are not invalidating any of those feelings.

But it’s important for the public to know that the system works, including at the appellate level.

As a defense attorney, the Mississippi rules of professional conduct task us with zealously advocating for our clients.

Carr Law Firm is going to do that every.single.time.

But, sometimes the public (and even our friends and family) equate advocacy with cosigning on a clients alleged actions. That is not what defending means.

Defending means to advocate for the preservation of a person’s constitutional rights, no matter his or her station in life.

YOUR rights.

This is what makes America different from so many other counties in the world.

And as our Senior Circuit Judge tells every jury pool - “A lot of people went to foreign lands to fight for those rights, and many did not come home.” And he’s right.

If a person’s 5th and 6th amendment rights to have a fair trial and confront evidence and witnesses do not matter, then nobody’s constitutional rights matter.

We at Carr Law Firm cannot promise you a result in any given case.

But we can promise you that you are going to give you that fair trial. Because your rights DO matter.

We will make sure the government does not convict you because they “say so”. It has to be fair. And if it’s not, we call it out.

That’s what we did here for Mr. Marshall….again.

A new trial would likely be set later this year or next year.

🚨 ANOTHER NOT GUILTY! 🚨

Student Resource Officer Patrick Johnson was charged by private affidavit with the crime of simple assault on a student while restraining a disorderly 16 year old at a local high school.

After a bench trial on the merits and the presentation of five witnesses, three surveillance videos, and medical records, SRO Johnson was found not guilty and exonerated.

We appreciate Officer Johnson for trusting our firm to handle his case.

Pictured: 2L intern Maneia Sparks, Officer Pat Johnson, and Attorney Mike Carr

If you or a loved one are being accused of a crime, please call Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

🚨New Intern Alert!🚨

Carr Law Firm is proud to announce that McKenna Wilson will be working as an intern this summer in our Tunica, MS office.

A native of Olive Branch, McKenna is a graduate of Tunica Academy and Mississippi State University. She will graduate from Mississippi College School of Law in May 2027.

McKenna was sworn in today for limited practice before Senior Circuit Judge Charles Webster.

We look forward to great things from McKenna!

Limited Practice Intern Successfully Argues Motion

On May 29, our Limited Practice Intern, Maneia Sparks hit the ground running, having argued a successful motion on behalf of a client who purchased a vehicle from a local dealership. The vehicle was financed for $10,245.00, with an interest rate of 28%, despite its actual value being $2,500.00.

Initially, the State assessed restitution in the amount of $8,773.56. As a result of the motion and argument presented, the Court granted the motion and assessed $0.00 in restitution against our client.

Here at Carr Law Firm, we ensure that our clients are treated fairly every step of the way, no matter their station in life.

🚨Case Dismissed!🚨

Congrats to CLF Attorney Brady Keeton who got an excellent result for a client yesterday. The State was leaning heavily on the client to plead, and the case was set for trial this week, but Atty Keeton recognized a significant error in the evidence, brought it to the court’s attention through detailed briefing and argument, and the court agreed.

If it’s there, we’ll find it.

If you or a loved one have a criminal charge, please consider calling Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529.

Carr Law Firm Attorney Brady Keeton Speaks to DSU Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity

With the Memorial Day weekend holiday and many recent graduations in mind, we at Carr Law Firm would like to share a recent public service event which aimed to protect public safety while advising of individual civil rights.

Carr Law Firm Attorney Brady Keeton recently spoke at his Alma Mater to the members of the Zeta Beta chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Delta State University.

Attorney Keeton spoke on the dangers of drunk driving, MIP citations, the do’s and don’ts of talking to police, and answered questions about the practice of criminal law and his experience as a lawyer returning to the Mississippi Delta.

We are always happy to speak at local events on legal rights, civics, public safety, and consequences of violating the law. Thank you to the men of Zeta Beta for inviting Atty Keeton to speak at your chapter meeting

🚨ANOTHER NOT GUILTY🚨

CLF client Isaiah Adams was charged with Armed Robbery. After a three day jury trial based on mostly circumstantial evidence and about 40 min of deliberation, a Leflore County jury found him not guilty.

Big thank you to Maneia Sparks with her help with jury selection and sitting second chair in this case.

CLF Summer Intern Maneia Sparks Sworn into Limited Practice!

Carr Law Firm summer intern Maneia Sparks was sworn in under the Mississippi Limited Practice Act before Circuit Judge Margaret Carey-McCray in Greenwood. We are so glad to have her back for a second summer in a row.

In only two days of being back, she hit the ground running - helping our attorneys pick two different juries in two different courts! Bright future for this young lady!!

Attorney Jessica Carr gets DUI Dismissed for Lack of Evidence

While she mainly manages the business, consultations, quotes cases, and puts out fires all day, Attorney Jessica Carr has more than a decade of trial experience in

circuit court, municipal court, and justice court. She got another DUI tossed for lack of evidence by MHP.

If you or a loved one have a criminal case, misdemeanor or felony, call Carr Law Firm at 662-441-1529. We know the law. We can help.

CLF Attorneys Jessica Carr and Brady Keeton Elected to Leadership Positions in Local Bar

Congratulations to CLF attorneys Jessica Carr and Brady Keeton for being recognized for their leadership positions in our local bar association.

🚨Case Dismissed Mid Trial!🚨

CLF client Ricardo Williams, Jr. was charged with felony aggravated assault. He was 15 years old. He was facing 25 years in prison with 5 being mandatory.

After empaneling a jury and two days of testimony, it was discovered during cross examination of multiple law enforcement officers that there were significant pieces of discovery which had not been disclosed to the defense.

After a recess and hearing arguments of counsel, the Court found that the denial of this particular evidence was so fundamentally unfair to the defense that it had no option but to dismiss the case.

Carr Law Firm. 662-441-1529

“We Work for Justice. We Get Results.”

Jessica Carr Speaks at MS College School of Law

CLF attorney Jessica Carr returned to her alma mater in Jackson today having been invited to speak as part of a panel entitled “Women In Criminal Law: Leadership, Advocacy, and Justice”.

Sponsored by the Mississippi College School of Law Criminal Justice Society and the Black Law Students Association, this panel of exceptional women provided an opportunity for up and coming law students to discuss criminal practice, constitutional rights, and running a law firm.

Featured speakers included:

Hon. Latrice Westbrooks - Mississippi Court of Appeals

Princess Abby - Office of Federal Public Defender

Tameika Bennett - Mississippi Office Of Capital Post Conviction Counsel

Megan Hasie - Hasie McQuirter Law Firm, Brandon, MS

Attorney Jessica Carr Panelist at Mississippi Valley State University

CLF attorney Jessica Carr speaking to college students regarding pathways to law school, criminal defense practice, and the business of running a law firm.

The distinguished panel covered many different topics from specialists in many fields, including appellate court judges, assistant district attorneys, representatives from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the federal courts, and the dean from University of Mississippi School of Law.

Grateful for this opportunity to pay it forward and encourage more young people to consider the practice of law.