Category: Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial evidence can establish the elements of a crime under Tennessee law and is of no less value than direct evidence in doing so. Either or both may be relied upon by a jury in determining whether the elements of a crime have been proven. The jury decides the weight to be afforded to circumstantial

In Tennessee, circumstantial evidence alone may be enough to convict someone of a crime, as long as the evidence is convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. In the recent case of State v. Lambright, M2012-02538-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn.Crim.App. 1-7-2014), the Court of Criminal Appeals found the circumstantial evidence sufficient to sustain jury verdicts of guilt of aggravated child abuse. In the Lambright case,

In Tennessee criminal cases, circumstantial evidence is as good as direct evidence, as long as it is convincing. Circumstantial evidence can support probable cause for arrest. In the recent case of State v. Seay, M2011-02769-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn.Crim.App. 7-16-2013), the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals determined the circumstantial evidence that the Defendant had been driving a vehicle on a