A Williamson County jury convicted the Defendant, Connie Reguli, of one count of facilitation of custodial interference and two counts of being an accessory after the fact. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of three years of probation after service of thirty days in confinement and denied the Defendant’s request for judicial diversion. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the evidence is legally insufficient to support her convictions. She also asserts that the trial court erred by (1) failing to dismiss the indictment for its failure to include an essential element of the underlying felony of custodial interference; (2) failing to instruct the jury concerning the essential elements of custodial interference; and (3) failing to instruct the jury on the defenses of voluntary surrender and legal representation. Finally, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred in imposing a sentence of split confinement and denying her request for judicial diversion. Consistent with our decision in State v. Hancock, 678 S.W.3d 226 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2023), we recognize that the principal’s actions in this case did not violate Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-306 at the time they occurred. As such, we hold that the Defendant cannot be guilty of facilitating the felony of custodial interference or being an accessory after the fact. Accordingly, we respectfully reverse the trial court’s judgments, vacate the Defendant’s convictions, and dismiss the case.

The Appellant, A Close Bonding Co., LLC, acting as the bail bond surety in the criminal case of the Defendant, Jose S. Loredo, appeals the Madison County Circuit Court’s denial of the Appellant’s motion to recuse and motion to set aside final forfeiture of the Defendant’s bond. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court did not err and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Two moot court teams from Belmont’s College of Law in February competed in the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition in Brooklyn, New York, where both teams were undefeated in preliminary rounds. The team consisting of third year law students Elizabeth Finnegan, Ben Tandy and Kealy Welage claimed a third place best brief award and the title of regional finalist. Welage — a swing advocate who argued every round — earned a ninth-place individual advocate award. Cate Farone, Samantha McCaleb and Carli Tuttle made up Belmont’s second moot court team, which advanced to the regional semifinals where they missed the break by one point on one ballot.

Bradley attorney Todd Presnell and Kristi Arth, Belmont University College of Law assistant professor and director of field placements, have co-authored an authoritative guide on evidentiary privileges recognized under Tennessee law and federal law within the Sixth Circuit. "Privileges and Protections: Tennessee and Sixth Circuit Law" contains 16 chapters addressing over 40 evidentiary privileges and related protections, plus an extensive examination of conflict-of-laws issues and the historical origins and development of evidentiary privileges. Read more in a press release from the firm.

The American Bar Association (ABA) celebrates National Women’s History Month this month, recognizing the vital contributions of women who have played pivotal roles in our nation’s history and the legal profession. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” According to a press release from the ABA, a recent National Association of Law Placement study shows a historic shift: for the first time, women account for more than 50% of associate attorneys in law firms.

A final rule from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increasing the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, took effect on Feb. 26. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust the premium fees on a biennial basis. After leaving these fees unchanged for the three years following passage of the Act, DHS is now increasing the premium processing fees USCIS charges for all eligible forms and categories to adjust for inflation. DHS will use the revenue generated by the premium processing fee increase to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudications processes; respond to adjudication demands, including reducing benefit request processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services. See full details of affected fees on USCIS's website.

A sales tax increase across Shelby County could pay for a new jail. The Daily Memphian reports that the news outlet obtained a draft bill in which the state would give the county permission to increase the total sales tax rate to 10.75%. The tax increase, raising the local sales tax rate to 3.75% across Shelby County, would have to be approved through a referendum. The draft bill is an amendment to a caption bill being carried by Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, and Sen. Paul Rose, a Republican who represents Tipton, Lauderdale and Shelby counties.

Michael Craft, Jackie Dewayne Davis, and Zachary Stuart Tablack, collectively “Defendants,” pled guilty as Range I offenders to two counts of voluntary manslaughter with the issue of judicial diversion and, alternatively, the length and manner of service of their sentences, to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the court sentenced each Defendant to concurrent terms of six years’ incarceration. On appeal, Defendants Davis and Tablack claim that the trial court erred by denying judicial diversion, by denying probation, and by sentencing them to the maximum sentence. Defendant Craft claims that the court erred by imposing the maximum sentence. Discerning no reversible error, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications. Among other things, the rule expands fee exemptions for certain types of applicants, provides special fee discounts for nonprofit organizations and small business employers, and implements a standard $50 discount for online filers. The new fees under the final rule will go into effect on April 1.

Husband moved for relief from a final decree of divorce under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 60.02(2). He claimed that his former spouse intentionally misrepresented her income and assets during the divorce proceedings. The trial court denied the motion. We affirm.