The Rap on Trial Legal Guide, co-authored by Jack Lerner and Charis Kubrin with members of the UCI Intellectual Property, Arts, and Technology Clinic, is a comprehensive resource for attorneys dealing with rap lyrics introduced at any stage of criminal proceedings — from initial discovery to trial to sentencing. The manual includes explanations of common rap conventions that may be unfamiliar to lawyers and jurors, an overview of empirical research on rap and bias, legal grounds for evidentiary and First Amendment challenges to admitting lyrics into trial, and suggestions for jury selection. We also provide a Case Compendium that contains useful information and helpful opinions to which defense counsel can cite.
In the Rap on Trial Brief Bank, we provide a set of relevant court briefs that have been used successfully to challenge the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials.
The Manual, Case Compendium, and this Brief Bank will be periodically updated as case law develops and new strategies emerge. These resources will be periodically updated as case law develops and new strategies emerge. The latest versions, along with additional information, are available on the IPAT website and at endrapontrial.org.
For additional resources including expert witnesses and legal advisors, go to the “Legal Resources” section of endrapontrial.org.
Rap on Trial Brief Bank
Trial and pre-trial briefs
- Defendant’s Amended Motion in Limine #13 Regarding Youtube Videos, United States v. Stephenson, No. 8:20-cr-00286 (M.D. Fla. filed June 8, 2021) (Docket No. 110)
- Defendant’s Motion in Limine to Exclude Rap Video, United States v. Sneed, 2016 WL 4191683 (M.D. Tenn. Aug. 9, 2016) (No. 3:14 CR 00159) (filing available at 2016 WL 4062009) (short motion arguing FRE 401, 403 and citing U.S. v. Gamory).
- Defendant’s Motion in Limine, United States v. Felix, 663 F. App’x 557 (9th Cir. 2016) (No. CR-13-00633 PJH) (filing available at 2014 WL 8763384)(17 page motion arguing FRE 404(b) lack of notice, First Amendment, FRE 801(d)(2)(A) hearsay (not prior statements because they are fictional), FRE 403 unfair prejudice (citing State v. Skinner, Gamory, experimental research))
- Defendant’s Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Government’s Motions in Limine, United States v. Johnson, 469 F. Supp. 3d 193 (S.D.N.Y. 2019) (No. 1:16-cr-00281) (filing available at 2019 WL 10980558)
- Defendant Elmore’s Motions in Limine, United States v. Williams, 2017 WL 4310712 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 28, 2017) (No. 3:13-CR-00764-WHO-1)
- Defendant’s Opposition to Government’s Motion in Limine, United States v. Johnson, 280 F. Supp. 3d 772, 773 (D. Md. 2017) (No. 1:16-CR-00363-JKB)
- Defendant’s Response to the Government’s Motion in Limine, United States v. Bey, 2017 WL 1547006 (E.D. Pa. Apr. 28, 2017) (No. 16-290-1) (filing available at 2017 WL 6506883)
Appellate briefs
- Brief of Appellant, Baker v. State, No. S23A0860 (Georgia filed May 25, 2023)
- Brief of the Appellant, Commonwealth v. Correia, No. 13223 (Mass. filed Jan. 11, 2022)
- Brief for Appellant, Commonwealth v. Knox, 190 A.3d 1146 (Pa 2018) (No. 1136 WDA 2013)
- Reply Brief of Appellant, Jordan v. State, 212 So. 3d 817 (Miss. 2016) (No. 2014-CT-00615-SCT)
- Brief for the Appellant, Commonwealth v. Thomas, 2015 WL 6457805 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 2, 2015) (No. 1121 EDA 2013) (filing available at 2014 WL 7793299)
- Reply Brief for the Appellant, Commonwealth v. Thomas, 2015 WL 6457805 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 2, 2015) (No. 1121 EDA 2013) (filing available at 2014 WL 7793301)
- Reply Brief of Defendant-Appellant, Commonwealth v. Gray, 978 N.E. 2d 543 (Mass. 2012) (No. SJC-10781) (filing available at 2011 WL 3572298)
- Brief and Argument of Defendant-Appellant, People v. Oduwole, No. 5-12-0039 (Ill. App. Ct. filed July 17, 2012)
- Petitioner’s Brief, Hannah v. State, 23 A.3d 192 (Md. 2011) (No. 151) (filing available at 2010 WL 1046799)
- Petitioner’s Reply Brief, Hannah v. State, 23 A.3d 192 (Md. 2011) (No. 151) (filing available at 2010 WL 219
0986) - Appellant’s Brief in Support of Appeal, Brooks v. State, 903 So. 2d 691 (Miss. 2005) (No. 2001–CT–01826–SCT)(filing available at 2003 WL 23700266)
- Appellant’s Reply Brief in Support of Appeal, Brooks v. State, 903 So. 2d 691 (Miss. 2005) (No. 2001–CT–01826–SCT) (filing available at 2003 WL 23700265)
- Brief of Appellant, United States v. Gamory, 635 F.3d 480 (11th Cir. 2011) (No. 09-13929) (filing available at 2010 WL 5146027)
- Reply Brief of Appellant, United States v. Gamory, 635 F.3d 480 (11th Cir. 2011) (No. 09-13929) (filing available at 2010 WL 5064927)
- Appellant’s Reply Brief on the Merits, In re George T., 93 P.3d 1007 (Cal. 2004)(No. S111780) (filing available at 2003 WL 23873449) (true threat)
Amicus Curiae briefs
- Brief of Amici Curiae ACLU of Northern California and ACLU of Southern California, People v. Sullivan, No. A163607 (Cal. Ct. App. filed Feb. 27, 2024)
- Brief Amici Curiae for Citizens for Juvenile Justice et. al. in Support of the Defendant-Appellant and Reversal, Commonwealth v. Correia, No. 13223 (Mass. filed Sept. 19, 2022)
- Brief of Amicus Curiae American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey in Support of Defendant-Respondent, State v. Skinner, 95 A.3d 236 (N.J. 2014)
- Brief of Amicus Curiae American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego in Support of Defendant Brandon Duncan’s Motion to Set Aside Information Pursuant to Penal Code § 995, People v. Duncan, No. SCD256609 (Cal. Sup. Ct. Feb. 27, 2015)
- Brief of Amici Curiae Erik Nielson, Charis E. Kubrin, Travis L. Gosa, Michael Render (AKA “Killer Mike”) and Other Scholars and Artists in Support of Petitioner, Bell v. Itawamba Cty. Sch. Bd., 577 U.S. 1181 (2016) (No 15-666) (filing available at 2015 WL 9315591)
- Amici Curiae Brief of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project and Rap Music Scholars (Professors Erik Nielson and Charis E. Kubrin) in Support of Petitioner, Elonis v. United States, 575 U.S. 723 (2015) (No. 13-983) (filing available at 2014 WL 4180919)