Probation can look like a break from jail — but in Florida criminal cases, it can also become one of the fastest ways to end up back in custody.

In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down probation from the legal side: how people end up on probation, what probation conditions really mean, how violations happen, and why a “good deal” is not always as good as it sounds.

Monica and Brandon explain the difference between general and special conditions of probation, technical violations, material violations, restitution issues, new law violations, drug and alcohol testing, travel restrictions, early termination, and final violation of probation hearings. They also discuss why probation officers have so much power, why violations can lead to no-bond warrants, and why the lower burden of proof at a VOP hearing can make these cases especially risky.

The episode also covers real courtroom stories, including defendants running from court, probation violations based on new arrests, DUI probation issues, driving while license suspended, sex offender probation violations, and the difficult choice between jail time and long-term supervision.

Topics include:
• What probation means in criminal court
• Jail vs. probation plea offers
• General conditions vs. special conditions
• Technical vs. material probation violations
• Why VOP warrants are often no bond
• Final violation of probation hearings
• Lower burden of proof in VOP cases
• Restitution, court costs, and ability to pay
• DUI probation, treatment, and testing
• Travel restrictions and probation modifications
• Early termination of probation
• Why probation can be a gift, a curse, or both

This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you are facing a criminal charge, probation violation, warrant, DUI, VOP, or any other criminal case, speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney in your jurisdiction.

Subscribe to Come Back With a Warrant, leave a five-star review, and sign up for our weekly newsletter for more criminal defense stories, legal insight, and unfiltered courtroom commentary.
🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a VOP case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down the Randy Herman case, the Palm Beach County murder case featured in Hulu’s documentary Dead Asleep. The case centered on one unusual and controversial defense: sleepwalking.

Monica and Brandon discuss the death of Brooke Preston, Randy Herman’s confession, the defense theory that he may have been sleepwalking, and why the case ultimately turned on questions of intent, timeline, forensic evidence, and whether the sleepwalking defense was reasonable under the facts.

Unlike many murder trials where the defense argues mistaken identity or lack of proof that the defendant committed the act, the issue in this case was different. Randy Herman admitted that he was the person standing over Brooke’s body with the knife, but claimed he had no memory of the killing. That meant the defense had to focus on whether he was conscious, aware, and capable of forming the intent required for first-degree murder.

Monica and Brandon analyze the key facts from the case, including the 25 stab wounds, the surveillance footage, the text messages, the neighbor who heard screams, the timeline between Randy and Brooke’s interaction and the killing, and the prosecution’s argument that there was not enough time for Randy to fall into the type of deep sleep required for the sleepwalking defense.

They also discuss the defense expert, how juries evaluate what is “possible” versus what is “reasonable,” and why the State’s trial strategy was effective. Instead of arguing that sleepwalking as a defense was impossible or ridiculous, prosecutors focused on the facts of this case and why the evidence did not support that theory.

This episode also touches on trial strategy, reasonable doubt, premeditation, motive, intoxication, emotional rage, jury perception, courtroom appearance, and how criminal defense attorneys decide which defense theory gives a client the best chance at trial.

Topics Covered

Randy Herman case
Brooke Preston case
Hulu Dead Asleep documentary
Dead Asleep case breakdown
Sleepwalking murder defense
Sleepwalking criminal defense
Palm Beach County murder case
Florida murder trial
First-degree murder defense
Intent in murder cases
Premeditation in criminal law
Reasonable doubt
Possible vs. reasonable defense theories
Criminal defense trial strategy
Forensic timeline evidence
Surveillance footage in criminal cases
Text messages as evidence
Neighbor witness testimony
Confession in a murder case
No memory defense
Criminal intent and consciousness
Sleepwalking expert testimony
Defense expert cross-examination
25 stab wounds evidence
Overkill in murder cases
Motive in murder trials
Rage killing theory
Intoxication and criminal defense
Jury perception
Courtroom appearance and bias
Defendant clothing at trial
Public defender trial strategy
Palm Beach County criminal defense
Florida criminal defense podcast
Monica Ishak
Brandon Dinetz
Come Back With a Warrant 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down what happens when someone is arrested for the first time and wants the case dismissed, sealed, expunged, or removed from their record.

Monica and Brandon explain the difference between diversion, plea deals, deferred prosecution agreements, pretrial intervention, plea in pass agreements, DUI diversion, drug court, veterans court, mental health court, and other alternatives that can sometimes help a person avoid the full consequences of a criminal prosecution.

They also discuss why diversion can be a major win in a criminal case, especially when it gives a client a path to dismissal without having to take the risk of trial. But they also explain that not every diversion program works the same way. Some programs require no admission of guilt, while others may involve a plea, probation, court conditions, restitution, treatment, or a withhold of adjudication.

This episode also covers one of the most common questions criminal defense lawyers get: “Can I get this off my record?” Monica and Brandon explain the difference between expungement and sealing in Florida, why a dismissal matters, why a withhold of adjudication matters, and how a conviction can prevent someone from getting a case removed from their record.

They also talk about the frustrating reality that even when a case is dismissed, sealed, or expunged, private websites, news outlets, mugshot pages, YouTube videos, Facebook groups, and third-party companies may still keep arrest information online. In other words: sometimes the criminal case is legally gone, but the internet does not forget.

Topics Covered

Diversion in criminal cases
Deferred prosecution agreements
DPA criminal case meaning
Pretrial intervention
Plea in pass agreements
DUI diversion in Palm Beach County
Reckless driving reduction from DUI
Withhold of adjudication
Adjudication vs. withhold
Drug court diversion
Veterans court
Mental health court
Competency in criminal cases
First time offender programs
Domestic violence diversion
FTOP domestic violence cases
Restitution in diversion agreements
Community service and court costs
Theft course and anger management
Trial risk vs. diversion
Client control and plea decisions
Public defender vs. private attorney strategy
First-time arrest in Florida
How to get a case dismissed
Nolle prosequi
No file decision
Expungement in Florida
Sealing a criminal record in Florida
Difference between sealing and expungement
Can a dismissed case still show up online?
Mugshots and public records
Why arrests stay online
Private websites and criminal records
How a criminal case can follow you 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz sit down with Iris Eytan, a criminal defense attorney with nearly 30 years of experience handling high-stakes and complex criminal cases, including murder trials. Iris is also the founder and CEO of Protect Ethical Prosecutors, an organization focused on addressing prosecutorial misconduct, increasing accountability, and protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system.

This conversation goes deep into what happens when prosecutors stop acting as ministers of justice and start treating criminal cases like games to be won at all costs. Iris shares how her career evolved from public defense and civil rights advocacy into complex criminal defense work, and how repeated experiences with hidden evidence, high-profile cases, and alleged prosecutorial misconduct ultimately pushed her to leave practicing law and focus on systemic reform.

Monica, Brandon, and Iris discuss the emotional weight of defending clients in cases where the evidence does not add up, the pressure prosecutors face in high-profile cases, and why concealing favorable evidence can destroy lives, harm victims, and undermine public trust in the justice system. Iris also explains why prosecutor accountability is so difficult, including the role of prosecutorial immunity and the lack of meaningful consequences when misconduct occurs.

The episode also covers the Barry Morphew case, the founding mission behind Protect Ethical Prosecutors, the difference between tough prosecution and unethical prosecution, and why fairness — not conviction rates — should be the true measure of success in the criminal justice system.

Topics Covered

Prosecutorial misconduct
Ethical prosecutors
Protect Ethical Prosecutors
Iris Eytan
Monica Ishak
Brandon Dinetz
Come Back With a Warrant
Wrongful convictions
Criminal defense attorney
Public defender experience
High-profile criminal cases
Hidden evidence in criminal cases
Exculpatory evidence
Favorable evidence
Brady violations
Prosecutor accountability
Prosecutorial immunity
Absolute immunity for prosecutors
Misconduct in murder cases
Barry Morphew case
Suzanne Morphew case
Criminal justice reform
Wrongful imprisonment
DNA evidence and alternate suspects
Public trust in the justice system
Ethics over winning
Minister of justice
Prosecutors and conviction culture
Why prosecutors should disclose evidence
How misconduct affects victims and defendants
Systemic reform in criminal law 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in criminal law: the difference between probable cause and proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

A lot of people assume that being arrested means the government already has enough evidence to convict someone. But as Monica and Brandon explain, those are two very different legal standards. Probable cause is the lower standard police need to make an arrest, conduct certain searches, or support a warrant. Beyond a reasonable doubt is the much higher standard prosecutors must meet at trial to convict someone of a crime.

Monica and Brandon discuss how probable cause can be challenged at different stages of a criminal case, including first appearance, through motions to suppress, and in challenges to search warrants. They also explain why these challenges can be difficult, especially early in a case when the defense may only have limited information, such as the probable cause affidavit or initial police report.

The episode also dives into the importance of the pre-file stage in criminal defense. Monica and Brandon explain why hiring a private criminal defense attorney early can make a major difference before formal charges are filed. They discuss how mitigation, communication with prosecutors, and early advocacy can sometimes lead to reduced charges, better offers, or even no-file decisions.

They also cover trial strategy, jury instructions, reasonable doubt, motions to suppress, Franks motions, search warrants, prosecutorial discretion, and why criminal defense attorneys must balance zealous advocacy with objective case analysis.

Topics Covered

Probable cause vs. beyond a reasonable doubt
What police need to arrest someone
What prosecutors need to convict someone
Why an arrest does not equal guilt
How probable cause is challenged in criminal court
First appearance hearings and bond arguments
Search warrants, arrest warrants, and affidavits
Motions to suppress evidence
Franks motions and false statements in warrant affidavits
The Fourth Amendment and criminal defense
Why early legal representation matters
The pre-file stage in Florida criminal cases
How prosecutors decide what charges to file
Burglary vs. trespass charging decisions
Mitigation packets and reduced charges
Public defender vs. private attorney involvement pre-file
Reasonable doubt at trial
Jury instructions and closing arguments
Why jurors may assume someone is guilty just because they were arrested
How defense attorneys prepare for trial
Maintaining objectivity as a criminal defense lawyer 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in West Palm Beach or South Florida… this episode matters.

Because what happens in your case isn’t just about the facts.

👉 It’s about the judge, your lawyer, and how your case is presented in court.

In this episode of Come Back with a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down what most people don’t realize:

⚖️ Judges are human.
⚖️ They have patterns.
⚖️ And how your lawyer navigates that can directly impact your outcome.

⚖️ What You’ll Learn (And Why It Matters to You)
Why knowing your judge can change your case outcome
How experienced lawyers adjust arguments based on the judge
What happens at your first appearance (bond hearing)
Why some arguments help—or hurt—you—depending on the judge
What a “trial tax” is (and when it might apply)
Why some lawyers stay quiet in court—and why that’s strategic
🚨 The Truth Most People Don’t Know

Not all judges approach cases the same way.

Some are:

More strict on certain charges
Less receptive to certain arguments
Already forming opinions early in the case

That’s why hiring a lawyer who:
✔️ Practices in Palm Beach County regularly
✔️ Knows the judges, prosecutors, and courtroom dynamics
✔️ Understands what to say—and what NOT to say

…can make a real difference in your case.

👔 What You Do Matters Too

Your outcome isn’t just about your lawyer.

Judges pay attention to:

How you dress in court
Whether you’re respectful and prepared
How you behave at the podium

Even small things—like being on time and dressed appropriately—can impact how your case is viewed.

⚠️ Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Case
Talking when your lawyer is speaking
Trying to “explain yourself” directly to the judge
Dressing inappropriately for court
Hiring a lawyer who doesn’t practice in your jurisdiction

These mistakes can negatively affect your credibility before your case even begins.

📍 Why This Matters in West Palm Beach

In Palm Beach County, the legal community is tight-knit.

Judges:

Recognize attorneys they trust
Notice preparation and professionalism
Pay attention to patterns—both from clients and lawyers

That means your choice of attorney—and how your case is handled—matters more than you think.

🎯 If You’re Facing Criminal Charges

You need more than just a lawyer.

You need someone who:

Knows the local court system
Understands how judges think
Can strategically position your case from day one 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives.
📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?
Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.

Harvey Weinstein’s criminal cases continue to shape the future of sexual assault prosecutions in America.

In this episode of Come Back with a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down the Harvey Weinstein retrial, the Me Too movement, and the legal issues that caused Weinstein’s New York conviction to be overturned.

The discussion covers:

Harvey Weinstein’s rise to power in Hollywood
The allegations that sparked the Me Too movement
How prosecutors built the original New York case
Why the appellate court reversed Weinstein’s conviction
The controversy surrounding “prior bad acts” evidence
Hung juries and mistrials in the retrial
The role of pattern evidence in sexual assault prosecutions
The balance between victim testimony and a defendant’s right to a fair trial
Comparisons to Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Cosby, Roger Ailes, and the Alexander brothers

Monica and Brandon explain the legal concept of propensity evidence, why appellate courts closely review judicial discretion, and how these rulings could impact future high-profile sex crime cases in New York and beyond.

The episode also explores broader issues involving consent, NDAs, abuse of power, prosecutorial strategy, witness credibility, and the challenges of defending or prosecuting cases involving multiple accusers. Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz trust StoryLeads with their own LinkedIn content because the team knows how to take strong voices and turn them into posts that build credibility, start conversations, and bring the right people closer. Listeners of Come Back With a Warrant can connect with StoryLeads to schedule a LinkedIn content strategy call or claim 3 free LinkedIn posts written for their voice, practice area, and ideal client. For lawyers ready to stop lurking, start posting, and build a LinkedIn presence with teeth, StoryLeads is the move.

Book a call and claim 3 free LinkedIn posts here: https://calendly.com/parker-storyleads/storyleads-linkedin-strategy-session-with-parker?month=2026-05
Mention “Come Back With a Warrant” when reaching out. 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives.
📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18

Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction has officially been overturned — and the reason has shocked the legal world.

In this episode of Come Back with a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Murdaugh’s double homicide conviction and order a brand-new trial.

The conversation covers the original murder case, the financial crimes that prosecutors used as motive evidence, the cellphone and kennel video evidence placing Murdaugh at the scene, and the courtroom misconduct allegations surrounding former court clerk Becky Hill.

Monica and Brandon explain:

Why jury tampering allegations became so serious
What the “Remmer standard” means in criminal appeals
Why Becky Hill’s comments to jurors mattered legally
Whether the prosecution went too far using financial crimes as evidence
How retrials work after a conviction gets overturned
Whether Alex Murdaugh should testify again
Why this retrial may be even harder for the defense

They also discuss broader issues involving jury impartiality, courtroom ethics, appellate reversals, and how high-profile murder cases can unravel years later because of procedural mistakes.

If you’ve followed the Alex Murdaugh trial, Netflix documentaries, or true crime coverage, this episode gives you the legal analysis behind the headlines. This episode of Come Back With a Warrant is sponsored by StoryLeads — the LinkedIn ghostwriting team helping lawyers turn their expertise, opinions, courtroom instincts, and real-world experience into content that actually commands attention. StoryLeads is built for attorneys who know they should be posting on LinkedIn but do not have the time, energy, or desire to write another watered-down “legal update” that sounds like it came from a compliance committee. No stiff legal jargon. No recycled thought leadership. No corporate fluff in a suit. StoryLeads helps lawyers, law firm owners, litigators, trial attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, personal injury lawyers, and legal professionals build authority on LinkedIn with sharp, strategic, human content that sounds like them — just cleaner, stronger, and harder to scroll past.

Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz trust StoryLeads with their own LinkedIn content because the team knows how to take strong voices and turn them into posts that build credibility, start conversations, and bring the right people closer. Listeners of Come Back With a Warrant can connect with StoryLeads to schedule a LinkedIn content strategy call or claim 3 free LinkedIn posts written for their voice, practice area, and ideal client. For lawyers ready to stop lurking, start posting, and build a LinkedIn presence with teeth, StoryLeads is the move.

Book a call and claim 3 free LinkedIn posts here: https://calendly.com/parker-storyleads/storyleads-linkedin-strategy-session-with-parker?month=2026-05
Mention “Come Back With a Warrant” when reaching out. 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives.
📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast
📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod
Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18