Little Rock Criminal Law Blog

Why does how evidence was obtained matter?

On behalf of John Wesley Hall on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides you with the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. You may not be aware of the fact that this right looks much different now than it did when added over 200 years ago.

It took until 1914 for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide that federal prosecutors could not enter incriminating evidence into court against an individual if police failed to obtain it through legal means and in accordance with the requirements of the Fourth Amendment. In 1961, the Court expanded its ruling to include state courts. This prohibition against using evidence not properly obtained became known as the Exclusionary Rule.

Former Arkansas sheriff accused of violent crimes

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Violent Crimes on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

A man who once served as sheriff of Benton County is under fire for allegedly assaulting a family member. The 47-year-old man was arrested in Bentonville, Arkansas, after being accused of violent crimes. It is unknown whether he has retained criminal defense counsel, and no court date has been publicly announced.

Court records say that around 11 p.m. the night of Aug. 12, officers from the Rogers Police Department were called to the man's residence after they received reports of a possible domestic disturbance taking place. Upon arriving at the residence, police found the man and an unidentified woman who has been confirmed to be a member of his family. The man and woman were arguing when police arrived.

Arkansas police officer charged with violent crimes

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Violent Crimes on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

A law enforcement officer in Little Rock is facing a potentially career-ending charge after being accused of battery. The Arkansas officer was accused of violent crimes by a suspect in the form of an assault on his person. The officer was released from a county jail on Aug. 6 under his own recognizance, and no trial date has yet been announced.

According to the report, the 44-year-old officer was responding to a domestic disturbance in Ash Flat back in Nov. 2016 when the incident allegedly occurred. The plaintiff has contended that the officer body slammed him with enough force to draw blood, and that the officer laughed about the incident with the other officers on the scene rather than rendering aid. The plaintiff filed his complaint in May 2018.

2 people suspected of violent crimes in Arkansas

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Violent Crimes on Thursday, August 2, 2018.

One person is suffering from a gunshot wound following an altercation that police believe may have been predicated by a failed drug deal. Police in Jacksonville, Arkansas, have arrested a 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old male on suspicion of violent crimes. Both men have been taken into custody and are awaiting trial.

According to the police report, it appears two individuals who have not been publicly identified were attempting to buy drugs from the two accused men on the evening of July 21. During this alleged transaction, the two men apparently turned on their would-be customers and attempted to rob them. The incident report goes on to say the 17-year-old produced a handgun when the alleged buyers attempted to flee in their vehicle.

Facing wire fraud? A strong defense is crucial for your future

On behalf of John Wesley Hall on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Arkansas readers know that facing any type of criminal charge is a threat to their future and personal freedoms. It is crucial to work diligently to defend yourself against allegations of wrongdoing, especially if it is a white collar crime. If there are charges of wire fraud against you, you would be wise to take quick action to build an appropriate defense strategy.

Wire fraud is a type of white collar crime. These are allegations of financial wrongdoing that can bring serious consequences with a conviction. Regardless of the nature of the charges against you or the circumstances of your individual situation, you have the right to know your defense options.

Shooting leads to charges for violent crimes

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Violent Crimes on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

A shooting from an apparent drug deal gone bad led to the arrest of two Arkansas residents. Accused of committing violent crimes, both individuals are still in police custody. Although one person is a minor, it is possible that he will be charged as an adult.

The shooting victim was driving with one passenger when they stopped to pick up a 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old teenager. After stopping in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant, the pair asked if the driver and his passenger used marijuana. The driver supposedly replied that they did and asked about the price of anything that the pair might have.

Violent crimes charges brought against Arkansas man

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Violent Crimes on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

A man accused of smothering his own child is facing serious charges after he allegedly attempted to revive the infant using an electrical shock, according to local sources. The 19-year-old Arkansas resident has been charged with violent crimes, including capital murder following the death of his 2-month-old daughter. If he is found guilty, he could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

According to the information provided in the report, the 19-year-old allegedly told police that in the early morning of June 12, he held his infant daughter's head to his shoulder to prevent her from crying while he was trying to sleep. He initially told officers that the girl woke up at approximately 5:30 a.m. and fed from a bottle before returning to sleep. However, the man said when he awoke later the child was not breathing.

6 Arkansas residents face charges for drug crimes

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Six men in Texarkana have been indicted for their suspected role in a drug distribution ring, according to court representatives. Federal authorities in Arkansas have issued six separate indictments for the accused men who are believed to have distributed methamphetamine in the Texarkana area. Federal criminal law takes a harsh stance on drug crimes, and if the individuals are found guilty, each man could face serious jail time.

According to the indictments, the accused men are all in their 20s or 30s, and many have lengthy records for former drug crimes. Each man is represented by a criminal defense attorney who will handle the indictment for his or her client. All of the men have entered not guilty pleas through their attorneys, for the charges of distribution of some 5 grams of meth each.

Raids lead to arrests for alleged drug crimes

On behalf of John Wesley Hall posted in Drug Crimes on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Police in Texarkana launched four separate raids into three residential homes and a business, according to law enforcement. Arkansas State Police worked with local county and town sheriff's departments, as well as the FBI, to crack down on drug activity. Four people were arrested and charged with drug crimes as a result of the operation. All four have been remanded to a county jail to await trial.

According to police records, multiple agencies were engaged in a year-long investigation into suspected distribution of methamphetamine in Hempstead County. Undercover agents are said to have purchased drugs over the course of several months from a 40-year-old restaurant manager with the help of a 23-year-old employee. Two other people, including a 53-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were also arrested in the operation.

What does the law require when it comes to search warrants?

On behalf of John Wesley Hall on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

On television and in the movies, officers walk up to the door of someone's home, dramatically present them with a search warrant and brush past them as they begin to look for whatever evidence they came to find. That one piece of paper holds a great deal of power in both Hollywood fiction and real life.

A search warrant allows law enforcement agents to breach the privacy of your home or another location in which you may have an expectation of privacy under the law. The courts take your right to be free from unlawful searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment seriously, which is why there is a process in place to ensure that when federal, state or local government officials want to conduct a search, they must first meet certain requirements.