United States v. Gilbert and Roberson

Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Defendant-Appellant David Lynn Roberson, Supporting Reversal

Brief filed: 03/21/2019

Documents

United States v. Gilbert and Roberson

11th Circuit Court of Appeals; Case No. 18-14654

Prior Decision

Decision below 355 F.Supp.3d 1168 (N.D.Ala. Oct. 22, 2018)

Argument(s)

Joint trials of attorneys and clients raise special consideration that tip the balance of interests in favor of severance. Courts evaluating severance must balance the prejudice of a joint trial against judicial efficiency. Joint trials of attorneys and their clients inherently present heightened risks of prejudice. The advice-of-counsel defense is critical to promoting well-counseled decisions in complex fields. The balance of interests favors severance in this case.

Author(s)

Lucas M. Walker and Jeffrey A. Lamken, MoloLamken LLP, Washington, DC; Lisa W. Bohl, MoloLamken LLP, Chicago, IL; David Oscar Markus, NACDL, Miami, FL.