Attorney John Phillips on Court TV: State of Florida v. Wade Wilson and facial tattoos FULL CLIP

Attorney John Phillips on Court TV Discussing State of Florida v. Wade  Wilson and facial tattoos

Should the State of Florida (taxpayers) pay for tattoo cover-up or removal for a criminal defendant with visible tattoos which could prejudice his/her defense? That was the question in Court TV with Julie Grant. Wade Wilson has a host of facial tattoos, including a swastika and is accused of double murder. These tattoos may prejudice his defense, but what is the line for making a defendant "put his best face forward" at criminal trial?

Florida and most states leave issues like this in the discretion of the court. If you are a defendant and face a jury trial, your lawyer should advise you that APPEARANCE MATTERS. But you don't have to take their advice. You don't want to look too casual or be prejudiced by appearance. For instance, a tear drop tattoo should be covered up.

On the hand, a prosecutor should argue  this isn't what was intended by any of the rules of procedure which govern evidence and may even be evidence of the crime- for instance a swastika in a race-based hate crime.

We recommend men wear a long-sleeve, button-down shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes, and, possible, a suit coat and tie. In some instances, like an injury case, we may want you comfortable and not to look too confined. Your clothes should be cleaned, ironed, and properly fitted whenever possible.