The Appellate Group

State v. Thomas

State v. Thomas, 2025 UT App 133 (Harris, J.)

Criminal

The Utah Court of Appeals held:

  • The district court did not abuse its discretion in sustaining the State’s objection to Counsel’s question during cross-examination.
  • Although the district court obviously erred in telling the jury the classifications of Defendant’s charges, Defendant did not demonstrate that he was prejudiced by the error.
  • Practice tip: It is appropriate to question a law enforcement witness about whether they intended to conduct a search as part of an investigation, but asking whether an officer had a “right to search pursuant to a particular legal doctrine” calls for an impermissible legal conclusion. 

Read the full court opinion