Tennessee Supreme Court

State of Tennessee v. Jeremy White

September 8, 20032003 Tenn. LEXIS 828

Summary

The court held that defense counsel’s simultaneous service as a part-time assistant district attorney and criminal defense lawyer in the same county created an actual conflict of interest. Because the conflicting prosecutorial and defense obligations were inherently antagonistic, the trial court properly disqualified counsel despite the defendant’s waiver and preference for that attorney. The court affirmed the intermediate appellate court’s judgment.