Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Jones v. State

Officer's testimony that the defendant told him that he disabled both of the family's vehicles to prevent his wife from leaving their home authorized the trial judge to find that the defendant's wife did not consent to his interference with the cars and supported his convictions for criminal trespass.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After a bench trial, Garland Jones was convicted of two counts of criminal trespass for maliciously interfering with his wife’s use of her two automobiles by letting the air out of the tires and removing the lug nuts from one car and by disconnecting a battery cable on the other car. Jones appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence and evidentiary rulings by the trial court. The challenges are without merit, and we therefore affirm Jones’ convictions. 1. Jones argues that the evidence supports only one possible crime against the victim. He claims that one of the cars, although he does not identify which one, was considered to be his vehicle and therefore he could not have interfered with its use. The argument is contradicted by the evidence.

The evidence shows that a police officer went to Jones’ house in response to a domestic disturbance call. The officer saw that tires of a Dodge Neon automobile had been flattened and removed from the vehicle, and Jones showed the officer that he had placed the lug nuts inside the home’s laundry room. The officer also saw that a cable had been taken off the battery of a Toyota Camry automobile. Jones told the officer that he had flattened the tires of the Neon and had disconnected the Camry’s battery cable because he did not want his wife leaving in those vehicles. During the trial, Jones testified that his wife’s father had given both cars to her and that both cars are registered in his wife’s name.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Southeastern Legal Awards 2025
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
Complex Claims & Litigation Forum 2025
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2025
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
NJ Foreclosure Attorney

Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC, is seeking a foreclosure attorney experienced in the NJ and/or NY foreclosure process and default l...


Apply Now ›
Defense Attorney

Mineola defense firm seeks attorneys with 3-5 years of actual insurance defense experience to handle complex general liability matters. Sala...


Apply Now ›
Commercial Real Estate/Transactional Attorney (Experienced)

Boutique Law Firm in Englewood Cliffs, NJ is seeking an Experienced Commercial Real Estate/Transactional Attorney for a full-time position. ...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs