Section 25.15 Referring to Defense Counsel Personally

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

d. (§25.15) Referring to Defense Counsel Personally

Personal attacks on defense counsel by the prosecutor are improper. State v. Ward, 807 S.W.2d 225 (Mo. App. E.D. 1991). Although this is the general rule, when personal attacks do occur, it is not always considered reversible error.

In State v. Howard, 896 S.W.2d 471 (Mo. App. S.D. 1995), the court permitted a statement “that defense counsel’s job was to divert the jury’s attention from the real issues.” See also State v. Fritz, 913 S.W.2d 941 (Mo. App...