Former State Rep. Jeremy Durham has been found guilty on two counts of driving under the influence and one count each of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was found not guilty on a charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Tennessean reports that he faces up to six years in prison. Durham was expelled from the legislature after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to several women. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office ultimately discovered that Durham had made lewd comments and had given inappropriate hugs to 22 women.

U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson ruled Wednesday that a mistake from the prosecution, which allowed unredacted evidence to enter the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren, did not rise to the level of requiring a mistrial. Cothren’s attorney motioned for a mistrial Tuesday, citing a recording of the FBI’s interview with Casada from the day his home was raided, which was played in court. The recording contained information that was prejudicial, according to the defense. The Tennessean has more on the case.

Recently released court records show that the 17-year-old Antioch High shooter had been on probation for previous violent behaviors at the time of the Jan. 22 fatal shooting at the school, the Nashville Post reports. The records also show that the teen had been ordered to a judicial diversion program and had signed probation paperwork the morning of the shooting, prohibiting him from possessing guns, ammunition and other weapons. The records became publicly available due to legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. The new law allows courts to unseal records of a juvenile who is dead after committing homicide on school grounds.

Several Memphis officials have responded to the not guilty verdict in the state trial of three former Memphis police officers for the death of Tyre Nichols. According to the Daily Memphian, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis released a statement encouraging the city to “heal together.” Young also added: “As a city, we’re committed to doing the work of creating a deeper trust between law enforcement and the people of Memphis.” State Democratic lawmakers from Memphis expressed “devastation” following the verdict, according to Tennessee Lookout. House Democratic Leader Karen Camper said the verdict leaves a “deep wound in our community and renewed calls for justice and accountability.” Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican, said he was "saddened for Tyre Nichols’ family" and that "they deserve justice." Local Memphis has his and other reactions, including from the Shelby County mayor and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis. National civil rights leaders also have weighed in with responses, including calls for criminal justice reforms. The Associated Press looks at those comments. Finally, the Commercial Appeal lays out what comes next, including sentencing in the federal case and a $550 million civil suit against the city and police department.

University of Memphis students are forming a college mock trial team and are looking for a volunteer coach who can support the team during the fall and spring semesters, with the potential to remain involved beyond that depending on availability and interest. Interested individuals should reach out to Brandon Washington at brandon.washington@memphis.edu. If possible, please contact Washington by July 1 so there is time to coordinate and prepare before the academic year begins.

Dr. Helen Clawson Smith, known as Helen Claire by family and friends, died April 30 at the age of 94. Smith earned her undergraduate and Master of Education degrees from Memphis State University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Houston in 1972. She later earned a law degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She spent her career in education, both in teaching and administration, and was instrumental in developing early childhood reading programs. After retiring in 1996, Smith volunteered as an ombudsman for the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, advocating for seniors in long-term care, and served on the board of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. A small graveside gathering will be held on May 18 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis.

The YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold its next “Stand Against Injustice” event on May 15 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The virtual lunch and learn will feature Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar, Nashville lawyer Charles Grant, former public defender Keeda Haynes and Emily Slotts with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors. The event will explore what due process looks like in action and what happens when it is denied. Register online for the free event.

Three law students have filed a federal lawsuit asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to withdraw investigative letters sent to 20 large law firms and delete any information that it gathered from them. According to Reuters, the students said they had applied for jobs at several of the firms for this summer. The complaint argues that if firms hand over the requested data to the EEOC, sensitive information about the students — including their demographic and contact information, compensation and participation in DEI programs — will be disclosed. The ABA Journal has more. 

Make plans now to join the TBA for a CLE like no other! The Murder Mystery CLE, set for May 16, is a unique opportunity that will allow participants to step into the roaring 1920s and unravel the mystery of J.W. Hanks’ untimely demise. Was Hanks’ killer his employee, his doctor, his wife, his mistress, his best friend or someone else he trusted? Using Tennessee’s latest criminal laws to uncover crucial clues, teams will spend the afternoon immersed in this unforgettable blend of education and entertainment with guidance from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law professors Sydney Beckman and Melanie Reid. The event, which includes lunch, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. CDT at the Nashville Public Library. Members of the Criminal Justice Section save on registration. Not a section member yet? Join here.

A Washington, D.C, federal judge late Friday struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm of Perkins Coie, Bloomberg Law reports. The decision from Judge Beryl Howell bars executive branch agencies from enforcing “any portion” of the March 6 executive order, calling it an unconstitutional violation of clients’ right to pick their own counsel and the firm’s due process protections. She also called the order “an unprecedented attack” on the “foundational principles” of the American judicial system. Perkins Coie was the first of four law firms to sue after being the subject of executive orders. In March, Howell imposed a temporary restraining order on parts of the executive order, but Friday’s ruling found the entire executive order to be null and void.