Represented a 28 year old mother of two in a DUI Death charge in Coahoma County yesterday. After two days of testimony involving troopers of the highway patrol, a medical doctor, coroner, a crime lab scientist, and an expert in accident reconstruction, the District Attorney’s office rested its case-in-chief. The Court found it failed to put on even a prima facie case of guilt, much less guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Case dismissed!
Carr Law Firm is pleased to announce that Michael Carr was asked to be part of a panel discussion on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Annual Meeting and Summer School for the Mississippi Bar Association in Sandestin, FL. Carr's presentation is entitled "Marching to the Beat of Your Own Drum: Opening and Running a Solo Practice". Along with co-presenters Tametrice Hodges of Ridgeland, and Phillip Thomas of Jackson; Carr will be presenting on the best practices, the use of technology, keeping reasonable overhead, and maximizing customer service and client satisfaction.
ANOTHER NOT GUILTY! Client charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery along with her brother and another individual for allegedly taking $80 and a cell phone at gunpoint. After a two day trial with no exhibits entered into evidence by the State, the jury found all three defendants not guilty. The evidence was simply not there.
NOT GUILTY! Last night after a three day trial, a Tunica jury returned a verdict for our client of not guilty on a first degree murder charge. Defense argued to the jury that defendant, who was lawfully on his business premises, had a right to use lethal force after the deceased shot at defendant’s cousin and fellow employee while on the premises. After presenting five expert witnesses, evidence showed gunshot residue on the hands of the deceased, his DNA on the fired weapon, and that he had been shot with two different calibers of bullets. While any death case creates strong feelings on both sides, Carr Law Firm is glad that the jury reached the right result.
Settled another wrongful death case yesterday for a family whose son was killed at an apartment complex. No working gates. Holes in the fences. No lighting. No cameras. No way to check who comes in or out. Long history of violence at the property. Minimal efforts to protect residents while landlords got government dollars to run a slum. Profits over people. Juries in the Delta don’t like that.
Yvette Mason-Sherman has just settled her civil wrongful death lawsuit against Wayne Parish for killing her then 17 year old son, Charles McDonald. The case wassettled against all defendants including Jimmy Ratliff and Performance Oil Equipment. My co-counsel and I are pleased the case has resolved and that our client can close this chapter of her life. Charles’ 19th birthday would have been Sunday, March 12th.
Big thanks to Bolivar County and Youth Court Judge Hunter Nowell for speaking to the students of the RFP last week. Judge Nowell explained the powers and obligations of the Youth Court, its relationship with Circuit and Chancery, and shared success stories about some of the cases in his court, as well as tough decisions he has had to make.
Had a successful mediation in Nashville yesterday. We settled a big case against Core Civic formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America. Our client was stabbed 20 times after a prison guard negligently left a jail cell open allowing five other inmates access to stab our client. Glad our client lived and now is out of prison with a successful resolution to his case
In addition to the criminal defense cases Carr Law Firm specializes in, Mike is also extremely passionate about working with community organizations and local law enforcement in a joint effort to help improve Bolivar County. Recently, Sheriff Kelvin Williams was the guest speaker at the Rosedale Freedom Project. The RFP is an after school program which empowers and inspires young people, like 7th grader Arthur Evans (pictured here), to become future leaders in their community. Check it out at www.rosedalefreedom.org.
We are proud to announce that Mike was recently recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys! Every attorney selected for membership among America’s Top 100 Attorneys must pass through a multi-phase screening process and be found among the top attorneys in their state based on a rigorous and comprehensive review of criteria. There are a broad array of requirements considered for each candidate: these include an attorney’s lifetime legal achievements, their professional experience, their record of case results and verdicts, peer reputation, client satisfaction, notable honors, and community impact, among many other factors.
In fall of 2017, Mike completed his 50th jury trial with 5 straight acquittals. By continuing to provide defense of the accused in all state and federal courts throughout Mississippi, we are looking forward to more success in 2018!
2017 proved to be a very productive year for Carr Law Firm. In September and October, Mike was invited by several professors at DSU to speak to their classes on various topics concerning small business operations, legal marketing, and an update in the application of constitution law here in the 5th Circuit.
On October 26, 2017, Mike was invited as a guest lecturer to the William Cady chapter to the American Inns of Court to speak on current issues facing the Criminal Justice Act panel. Mike, a member of the CJA panel, is one of ten attorneys who represent indigent defendants in 36 counties who are charged with federal crimes. Attendees, who included federal practitioners as well as state and federal judges, were advised as to the recent trend in voluminous electronic discovery and the associated ethical, monetary, and time management issues facing the CJA panel attorneys.
For the fourth year in a row, Mike was asked to speak at the Bridge that Gaps seminar, sponsored by the Young Lawyers division of the bar. This seminar is directed at attorneys with five years or less of practice, involving issues they will face early in their career. Mike spoke on the importance of maintaining a good relationship with counsel opposite despite being in an adversarial setting, and different best practices, which the young attorney may want to consider in handling various situations.
Trials: From May to December of 2017, Mike tried five criminal jury trials in various courthouses within the 11th Circuit Court District. These resulted in one hung jury, one dismissal on directed verdict, and three not guilty verdicts. Mike is proud that all five of these clients walked out of the courtroom with their freedom.
Settlements: Carr Law Firm was fortunate to have obtained numerous settlements for its clients throughout 2017, including several six figure settlements. The types of cases included personal injury at the hands of law enforcement, negligent security claims at residents of apartment complexes, and auto accidents.
Carr Law Firm looks forward to continuing its success into 2018, and the years to come. We opened the doors in our new office space in June of 2017 and hit the ground running- and we don't believe that things could have gone any better. As we move into a new year, our future as a firm is looking extremely bright!
On Saturday, September 23, 2017, Michael Carr of Carr Law Firm was invited to speak as a guest lecture to the Mississippi Physical Therapy Association Statewide Conference on Legal Ethics surrounding the practice of physical therapy in the state of Mississippi. Mr. Carr covered topics regarding Mississippi state statutes covering the practice of physical therapy, business formation advice regarding LLC incorporation, the legal impact of being an independent contractor versus an employee, and updated federal and state cases involving Medicare fraud. This is Mr. Carr's seventh year presenting on ethicsto the Mississippi Physical TherapyAssociation. The Association is a state wide professional organization composed of approximately seven hundred physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and students. The organization works to advance the physical therapy profession as well as promote and improve the health and quality of life for the people of Mississippi. MPTA is a state chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a nationwide professional organization that represents more than 100,000 members.
Carr Law firm is proud to announce that attorney Mike Carr has been named a Super Lawyer 2017 for the 5th year in a row. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
Carr Law Firm is a boutique criminal defense and personal injury firm practicing in state and federal courts across Mississippi.
CARR LAW FIRM, PLLC
The Gallery Building
301 West Sunflower Road, Suite D
Cleveland, MS 38732
T 662.441.1LAW
F 662.441.1530
