Podcasts

As the circus, whoops, sorry, the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard unfolds, Russ and Colin take an episode to go over the salacious details, the legal nuances, and the likely winners, if any. What are the courtroom strategies being employed here? Does Amber Heard's countersuit have a chance to succeed? Does the judge regret not going to medical school? These questions will all be explored, along with a pair of Is This Legal? riddles and the exploits of this week's Dumb Criminal of the Week. Gavel drop!

Colin and Russ discuss the shocking events that led to the dismissal of murder charges against Barry Morphew, who was charged with murdering his wife, Suzanne Morphew, a woman who went missing in the summer of 2020. They cover the cavalcade of missteps by the DAs office, from failure to disclose alternative suspects to making up results of a dog-sniff that didn't happen!  Follow up from Episode 61.  Check it out!

For the full transcript, click here.

In this episode, Colin and Russ discuss the conviction of nurse RaDonda Vaught following the accidental death of a patient Vaught treated. The Vaught case has the healthcare world in a commotion and may have broad implications for the industry, especially for those considering careers in nursing. The topic of today's episode is brought to you by alert listener Kristin Larson, who is herself a nurse and aspiring lawyer. Listen in as Kristin gives her professional opinion on this tragedy and tests her legal acumen in the Is This Legal? segment. Also, before you ask, we are indeed headed back to Florida this time around for Dumb Criminal of the Week!

Colin and Russ discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and whether or not Vladimir Putin can be investigated and charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.  They are joined by Jeremy Cox for Is This Legal, and have a brand new #DCOTW!  

With self-driving technology becoming more and more common, the inevitable re-drawing of legal lines has begun to figure out who's at fault, and to what extent, when self-driving cars crash. In this episode of the show, Colin and Russ tackle a recent case from California involving a Tesla driver, Kevin Riad, who faces felony charges for an accident resulting in multiple fatalities. Is Mr. Riad liable criminally? Is Tesla? Also features an "Is This Legal?" segment with a guest who must ponder not one but two  legal quandaries, and a Dumb Criminal of the Week that, shockingly, does not come out of Florida. Sit back, and tune in!

Former President Donald Trump has taken legal action to prevent the Jan. 6th House committee from obtaining documents, created during Trump's tenure, that pertain to the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol last year. His efforts have been rejected by the lower courts, and now the Supreme Court has issued a decision not to hear the case. Listen in as your intrepid podcast hosts Russ and Colin discuss how this process unfolded, and what it means going forward with regard to criminal liability for Trump. Then, test your wits against a new legal trivia puzzle, and, as always, marvel at the Dumb Criminal of the Week. 

New year, new news! In this episode, the boys give an update on some of the high-profile trials from 2021 that have now ended, including the Elizabeth Holmes Theranos trial and the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell. Then, they throw out a fresh Is This Legal? scenario for you to ponder,  wrapping up the episode with a discussion of Kelly Turner, the Make-A-Wish mom who just pled guilty to a handful of felonies. Also features a Dumb Criminal of the Week you won't want to miss. Happy New Year!

Russ and Colin break down the case of Colorado truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, who lost his brakes on interstate 70, crashing into traffic and ultimately resulting in the death of 4 people and injury of 6 others. Mr. Aguilera-Mederos, despite having no prior criminal history, and no intent to injure or kill anyone, was sentenced to 110 years in prison, the minimum mandatory for the crimes pursued by District Attorney Alexis King. Tune in and see why this disproportionate result, and whether the sentencing will be revisited. As always, a guest plays Is This Legal, and they have your Dumb Criminal of the Week!
For the full transcript, click Here.

2021 is going out with a flurry of high-profile criminal trials, so it's only right that Colin and Russ take an episode to bring you up to speed on all of them. In this 67th iteration of Is This Legal?, the guys take a look at the cases of Ethan Crumbley, Kim Potter, and Ghislaine Maxwell, and they give a tip of the cap to Jussie Smollett as well during an extended DCOTW segment. Also features some quick thinking from this week's guest interviewee, and a whole lot more. Don't miss it!

For the full transcript, click here.

This week's Is This Legal takes a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to analyze the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse. Armed with an assault rifle, baby-faced teenager Kyle Rittenhouse took to the streets, answering a call to protect property. The night took a tragic turn as 2 men were killed and another wounded at the hands of Mr. Rittenhouse.  Russ and Colin break down Rittenhouse's case for self defense and give their best educated guesses as to whether he will be convicted.  All this, plus another fan-favorite round of Is This Legal and of course, the always hilarious Dumb Criminal of the Week for some much needed LOLs.
 
For the full transcript, click here.

Russ and Colin are back to discuss the tragic Ahmaud Arbery killing that spurred protests and outrage across the country. Is citizen's arrest a legal defense tactic? What evidence will be admissible at trial? Answers in this episode. Plus: A spicy round of "Is This Legal?" and our much-loved "Dumb Criminal of the Week."

Here is the sequel you’ve been waiting for. The boys are back and bringing you the newest developments in the tragic Gabby Petito case. Russ and Colin discuss strangulation, domestic violence, and whether the Moab Police Department are to blame for Gabby Petito’s death. Plus, we put a loyal listener to the test and bring you another Dumb Criminal of the Week.

For anyone interested in helping bring some holiday cheer to children in need, please consider donating to kenziscauses.org.

For the full transcript, click here.

The discovery of Gabby Petito's body recently in Wyoming, and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie's unusual behavior in the weeks after her disappearance, raise legal questions: could Laundrie's parents be liable for helping cover up a crime? What tactics will authorities use to draw out information in the case? Also features an intriguing Is This Legal? issue to consider and a rollicking new DCOTW (Dumb Criminal of the Week).

For the full transcript, click here.

Ooh boy, this one's a sizzler. First, the backstory: in episode 56, Colin and Russ discussed the widely-publicized assault on Karen Garner, an elderly woman with dementia, by officers of the Loveland Police Department in Colorado. In this episode, the guys are joined by Karen's attorney, Sarah Schielke, fresh off securing a three-million dollar settlement from the city of Loveland to recompense Karen for her hardship. Sarah breaks down the initial criminal case against Karen, the civil suit Karen's family appointed Sarah to handle subsequently, and the ongoing criminal cases against the Loveland officers involved in the assault. Get your popcorn, and settle in.

Here's one for all the true crime fans. Suzanne Morphew's disappearance has attracted a lot of media attention lately, and it's clear why: the story has a love triangle, mysterious circumstantial evidence, and plenty of room for juicy speculation. The case is now before a judge to decide whether there's probable cause to proceed to trial. What are the arguments the prosecution will use to advance the claim that Barry Morphew murdered his wife? What evidence will the defense use to exculpate Morphew? And just as importantly, will our guest Alex Stafford be able to answer the age-old question, "Is this legal?" Settle in and find out!
Also, be sure to check out Alex's Instagram for pithy craft beer expertise.

For the full transcript, click Here.

The boys are back in town! After a little summer hiatus, Russ and Colin jump back on the mic to discuss a topic you've probably wondered about: why should we bother defending people who are obviously guilty? Why give them the chance to evade justice? Why should someone like Bill Cosby go free on a technicality, when he was already convicted in a court of law by a jury of his peers?  To help answer these questions, our intrepid podcasters turn to a guest speaker:  Don Clark, fellow attorney and author of the new book Summary Judgment. In that book, and in this interview, Don recounts his time appealing the sentence of a death row inmate in Alabama, offering  valuable insights into the justice system and our own moral code. Missing this one would be indefensible!

Chrissy Teigen's past social media activity has landed her in trouble recently. In 2014, the model and television personality directed unfavorable tweets at Courtney Stodden, including some that expressed a wish to see Stodden dead. Those tweets have now surfaced, and Teigen finds herself at the center of a renewed national conversation over cyberbullying. Colin and Russ use this incident as a starting point for the latest Is This Legal? episode, exploring the legal definitions and limits of cyberbullying, the consequences, and contrasting Teigen's troubles with the criminal case of Michelle Carter in 2015. Also features an interactive pop quiz for all you lovely listeners and a piping hot Dumb Criminal of the Week! #banger

For the full transcript, click here.

Ready for more tips? Russ and Colin keep the legal tips flowing with more advice on what to do and what not to do when you're dealing with the police. If you see someone getting hassled unfairly, are you allowed to record the interaction? When do you have to answer questions that the police inevitably ask, and will it get you arrested if you don't cooperate?  What about your Miranda rights?  What if they didn't read you your rights?  All these questions and more are answered so gather the family around and let the elucidation begin!

For the full transcript, click here.

Get your notepads out! Episode 57 is overflowing with useful advice. In this one, Russ and Colin go over what to say and do, and more importantly what NOT to say and do, when you're dealing with the police in situations that come up in criminal defense all the time. When the cops stop you on the street and ask your name, what should you say? When they execute a traffic stop and ask if you know why you were pulled over, what should you say? All these questions and more are up for review. Also, the guys interview Klint Rudolph and go through the ever-riotous Dumb Criminal of the Week segment. With an episode this good, it would be criminal to skip it!

For the full transcript, click here.

In this episode, Russ and Colin take you on a tour of the Karen Garner case out of Loveland, CO, using it as a launchpad for a discussion of resisting arrest in general. Does the law uphold the decision of Loveland PD officers to tackle this elderly woman over a minor shoplifting offense, injuring her in the process? Plus, fellow podcaster Joy Parrish stops by to reminisce about her lawbreaking days and play "Is This Legal?" Should be a good one; don't resist the urge to listen!

Find the full transcript here.

On April 20, 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd almost a full year before. Floyd’s death while he was restrained face-down on the street elicited nationwide protests, counter-protests, endless news coverage, and impassioned arguments from all sides on the nature of policing in America and the best way to bring law enforcement agencies into harmony with their host communities. In this momentous episode of Is This Legal?  Colin and Russ examine the Chauvin trial, talk about the strategies both sides employed, predict the outcome of Chauvin’s sentencing, and unveil a brand new interview segment that will feature guest speakers from far and wide. Sit back and enjoy a legal perspective on what in the future will no doubt be seen as a milestone in American history.

For the full transcript, click here.

Taylor Swift called it: the haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.  Episode 54 of Is This Legal? covers bias-motivated crime in America, from the history of and rationale for hate crime laws as we know them now, to the elements that make an offense go from merely illegal to legally hateful, including real world examples such as the Atlanta massage parlor shootings of this year.  With plenty of hypotheticals and thought experiments along the way, attorneys Colin and Russ break down this category of crime into bite-sized pieces for your delectation.  Bon appetit!

To view the full transcript, click here.

Sydney Powell, ex-lawyer to Donald Trump, made numerous statements in the aftermath of the 2020 election accusing Dominion Voting Systems of election crimes. Now, Powell finds herself on the wrong end of a defamation suit filed by Dominion. What defense will she put forward? What elements are required for a successful defamation suit? What's the difference between defamation, libel, and slander? These questions and more are on the docket in this episode of Is This Legal? , along with everyone's favorite recurring segment, Dumb Criminal of the Week.

For the full transcript, click here.

Calling all dog fans!  Denver attorneys Russell Hebets and Colin McCallin share their love of dogs in the latest lighthearted Is This Legal episode.  How are dogs treated under the law, how do dogs run afoul of the dreaded "dangerous animal" designation, and some of the all-time great dogs of pop culture are on the agenda.  Curl up with your favorite furry companion and enjoy!  For the full transcript, click here.

One result of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 was a resurgence of public interest in Elijah McClain’s death several days after he was given an overdose of ketamine during police contact. In the push for criminal justice reform, McClain’s name has become shorthand for police misconduct and the damage it can do. In this episode of Is This Legal? Russ and Colin examine the detention and death of McClain, the subsequent internal investigations of the incident by the Aurora Police Department, and talk about what lessons this tragedy may hold for all of us as we navigate police contact in our own lives.

For the full transcript, click here.

In the early 2000s, plucky entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of college and started a company called Theranos,  promising to revolutionize blood screenings for medical patients. By 2014, Theranos was valued at almost 10 billion dollars. Fast forward a few years, and Theranos is gone, while Elizabeth Holmes awaits trial later this year on multiple counts of wire fraud. What happened? Criminal defense attorneys Russell Hebets and Colin McCallin take a look at this fascinating case, the likely defenses Ms. Holmes' attorneys will use, and the problems with those defenses. Get your popcorn!

For the full transcript, click here.

Russ and Colin dig deep into the Is This Legal mailbag to answer the best and brightest legal questions from our listeners.  Topics covered include eating marijuana edibles out of state, criminal charges and gun rights, and the introduction of our brand now segment: Dumb Criminal of the Week!  Don't miss out, it's going to be a fun ride!

For the full transcript, click here.

Colin and Russ break down the criminal charges and other fallout from the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.  These charges will be investigated by the FBI in cooperation with other law enforcement groups such as the ATF and the Marshalls Office, and include a cavalcade of protesters turned rioters, some facing decades in federal prison.  They examine potential criminal charges of the insurrectionists as well as President Trump himself.  Check it out!

Your favorite legal analysts from Hebets & McCallin discuss the cash bond reform craze that is sweeping the nation.  From Michigan prosecutor Eli Savit's move to eliminate cash bail, to California's failed bid to remove cash bonds in the most recent election, states are increasingly including bond reform in their general criminal justice reform agenda.  Bondsmen and bounty hunters are voicing their objections locally and nationally, despite widespread acknowledgment of wealth and racial disparities in the cash bail system.

Attorneys Russell Hebets and Colin McCallin make the yuletide gay with a review the year's most notable cases from the Supreme Court and beyond in this holiday spectacular.  Cases from Trump's attempt to quash subpoenas to major developments in the rights of religious institutions are explained.

Attorneys Colin McCallin and Russell Hebets go crazy on the latest episode of Is This Legal.  The insanity defense to criminal charges has been around for thousands of years, but has gone through major transformations throughout the years.  The guys at Hebets and McCallin talk the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan by John Hinkley Jr., what happens when someone is found not guilty by reason of insanity, and how difficult it is for defendants to mount an insanity defense.  Kick back and go nuts listening!

Oregon decriminalized personal use of hard drugs with the passage of Measure 110 in the 2020 election.  Criminal attorneys and former prosecutors Colin McCallin and Russell Hebets dive into the benefits and risks of this decriminalization.  Is decriminalization the same as legalization?  Does this apply to all drugs?  How will the police and jails be affected by Measure 110?  Will decriminalization reduce overdoses and increase treatment, or will it encourage illicit drug use?  Will it raise or lower the crime rate? These and other questions will be answered from Russ and Colin’s unique criminal law perspective.

Russell and Colin break down DUI stops, including what you should do, and what you should definitely not due if you've been drinking but aren't drunk driving.  Topics include roadside sobriety tests, blood alcohol tests, breath alcohol tests, and refusals, as well as how to interact with the police officer during an alcohol related stop.  Pull up a chair, crack a cold one (but not if you're driving), and enjoy all things DUI!

Attorney Russell Hebets and Colin McCallin talk all things self defense; highlighting the arrest of Matt Dollhoff in Denver.  When can you use lethal force?  Can you use self-defense in defense of others?  In defense of property?  What happens if someone breaks into your home?  When are you justified?  All these questions and more are covered for your listening pleasure!

Can President Donald Trump be charged with a crime in office?  Does it matter if it's a federal or state crime?  If so, can he pardon himself or use executive privilege to avoid prosecution?  How will the 2020 election affect his criminal liability?  Can he hide in office for a second term and let the statute of limitations lapse?  Let's find out!

Colin and Russ have dialed up 13 legal trivia questions to keep their faithful listeners on their toes!  How many questions can you answer correctly?  Have fun and good luck!

Colin and Russell discuss the tragedy of wrongful convictions in America.  They talk about specific cases of exoneration, how DNA technology has played a role, and the importance of the Innocence Project.  

Colin and Russ explain the current controversy regarding President Trump, the Postal Service, and 22 states who have filed a lawsuit claiming their rights to a fair election are being infringed.  Let's go postal!

Using the scandal-ridden Aurora Police Department as a case study, Colin and Russ discuss the police in 2020 and what practical reforms can be put into place to make police agencies better, for both their officers and the communities they police.

Colin and Russ give you the skinny on the highest court in the USA. They take on all things Supreme Court in this fact-packed episode!

Masks or no masks? Colin and Russ discuss the laws regarding how businesses and governments can require (or not) facial mask coverings in the wake of COVID-19.

Colin and Russ answer questions from the listener mailbag. Contact us on twitter @IsThisLegalPod or on our FB page- HebetsMcCallin if you have a question for an upcoming episode! Also- NEW THEME MUSIC! Thanks Jason!

Colin and Russ break down the charges that two Atlanta police officers are facing for their roles in the killing of Rayshard Brooks.

Colin and Russ examine the tragic killing of George Floyd from a legal perspective. How will the prosecutor handle the case? What are possible defenses? Are the other three officers culpable? Russ and Colin try to make sense of the legal issues.

Hebets & McCallin updates the latest developments in the Wisconsin Supreme Court legal battle pitting GOP opponents of the Stay at Home Order against the Governor.

Colin and Russ discuss the constitutional authority of the President, Governors, and Mayors with regard to lockdowns and stay at home orders, and what happens if these orders are in conflict with one another.

Civil v. Criminal? Felony v. Misdemeanor? Prosecutor v. Defense lawyer? Jail v. Prison? Colin and Russ go back to basics with this primer on general criminal law topics. See how you do on our quiz at the end of the episode!

Russ and Colin are back with part 2 of their discussion of the Fourth Amendment. Can the police search your car? How about your phone? Do you have to provide your passcode? We answer these questions and more!

In this multi-part episode, Colin and Russ introduce the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution. They discuss its importance, history, interpretation by the Supreme Court, and whether or not the cops need a warrant to enter your weed grow house, etc.

Colin and Russ talk about the legality of marijuana in 2019. Can you mail weed? Do the feds care about marijuana anymore? Can you get a loan from a bank to set up a dispensary? We tackle all these and more in our latest ep!

Colin and Russ discuss the role of private prison and other for-profit enterprises involved in the criminal justice system, and whether they belong there at all.

In this episode, Russ and Colin look at the different mental states required to demonstrate proof of a crime with a wildly hilarious hypothetical situation that will blow (someone's) mind!

When can you use deadly force on an intruder? If the cop got my name wrong on my ticket, my case is dismissed right? Can I get a DUI on horseback? Due to popular demand, Colin and Russ are back at it debunking legal myths! Check it out!

In this episode, Colin and Russ talk about the legal concept of corpus delecti- evidence needed for a criminal case to go forward. Can you be convicted of murder without a corpse? We talk serial killers, Natalee Holloway, and pros and cons of this obscure rule.

Don't flip out! In this episode, Russ and Colin talk about witness flipping. In the wake of the guilty pleas entered into by Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen, we examine why, and under what circumstances witnesses turn on others in their criminal enterprise.

Just over 2 weeks removed from the Parkland, FL school shooting, Russ and Colin provide an overview of gun laws in America. They cover the 2nd Amendment, the Supreme Court opinion that gave it new life, and gun control measures currently on the books.