Trial Guide

This trial handbook covers one of the most hotly contested types of evidence: the admissibility of a criminal defendant's prior bad acts. 404(b) evidence often becomes relevant during trial, requiring fast analysis. This manual was designed to quickly give Tennessee attorneys and judges: 1) a overall view of appellate court rulings regarding types of prior bad act evidence (ex: drug selling, prior arrests, etc.) and how many within each category have been affirmed, reversed and deemed harmless error, and 2) a synopsis of every 404(b) case within those categories. Every individual case analysis includes the defendant's charges, the type of 404(b) evidence, the appellate court's ruling and the analysis for each ruling.