Recently, the Mississippi Supreme Court handed down a very favorable decision regarding DUI convictions. The case, Freeman v. State of Mississippi
Freeman v. State, litigated by Coxwell & Associates’ very own Chuck Mullins, resulted in a very favorable outcome for our client, as it is not very often the Supreme Court reverses a DUI conviction.
Dr. Freeman was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) first offense, by the Madison County Justice Court. On appeal, the State was put under a court order to preserve specific video evidence, vital to Freeman’s defense. However, this key evidence was eventually destroyed, in violation of the court order mandating the State to preserve this evidence. As a result, the Supreme Court determined that, without this key evidence, Dr. Freeman would be unable to present a complete defense. The arresting officer even admitted at trial that this evidence would have cleared up any unanswered questions regarding Dr. Freeman’s traffic stop and arrest.