The Appellate Group

State v. Medina

State v. Medina, 2025 UT App 99 (Oliver, J.)

Criminal

The Utah Court of Appeals held:

  • The district court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the State to play a recording of Witness’s testimony at trial. 
  • Defendant was not prejudiced by any failure to request a unanimity instruction on obstruction of justice. 
  • Counsel was reasonable in not calling a rebuttal expert to testify about cell phone location data. 
  • Practice tip: Even if trial counsel admits a mistake, the ultimate question for ineffective assistance is whether counsel’s acts or omissions were objectively reasonable. 

Read the full court opinion