If you want to enjoy the holidays without unwanted encounters with the law, this episode is a must-listen!

Welcome back to Lawyer Talk! In this episode, host Steve Palmer shares a timely holiday public service announcement, drawing on decades of legal experience.

As the festive season ramps up, so do risks associated with alcohol—whether it’s family arguments that get out of hand or those dangerous decisions to drive after drinking. Steve Palmer explains why law enforcement is more vigilant during the holidays, discusses the realities of sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols, and offers practical advice to keep your celebrations safe, civil, and free from legal trouble.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com

If courtroom showdowns, legal strategy, and headline-making trials are your thing, you won't want to miss this episode!

Welcome back to Lawyer Talk! In this episode, Steve Palmer and Troy Henricksen talk about a hot legal issue that’s making big headlines: the trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan.

This isn’t your everyday courtroom drama—judge Dugan’s actions set off a wave of political controversy and questions about judicial authority, federal versus state power, and the real-life consequences of policies clashing in America’s courthouses.

Steve Palmer and Troy Henricksen break down the facts like a law school case study, dissecting the judge’s decision to confront federal immigration agents and help an undocumented defendant avoid ICE agents in the courthouse.

The conversation covers everything from the tangled web of federal and state jurisdictions, the constitutional Supremacy Clause, and judicial immunity, to the practical strategies used in jury selection—like seeking jurors who might lean a certain way politically.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear spirited debate, memorable courthouse anecdotes, and sharp legal analysis as Steve Palmer and Troy Henricksen put themselves in the shoes of both the prosecution and the defense. They predict outcomes, debate gray areas in the law, and even place a friendly wager on how this real-world legal drama will unfold.

Moments

00:00 "Judge Defies ICE in Courtroom"

03:29 "Out the Back Door"

09:13 "Supremacy Clause and Federal Law"

12:45 "Mens Rea: Intent Explained"

15:44 "Politics and Fair Trial Debate"

17:11 Jury Nullification and Political Context

20:30 "Verdict Predictions and Recap"

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com

Can Police Still Search Your Car for the Smell of Marijuana?

Steve Palmer and Troy Henricksen discuss the “plain smell” doctrine—a hot topic in criminal procedure, especially with all the changes surrounding marijuana laws in Ohio. They walk you through what cops can and can’t do during a traffic stop when they detect the scent of marijuana, explaining how the Fourth Amendment and recent legal changes affect searches, privacy rights, and law enforcement actions.

Together, they break down the evolution from the days when the mere odor of marijuana was enough for a search, to today’s more complex landscape where medical and even recreational use of marijuana has changed the legal calculus.

They explain how “probable cause” is no longer as simple as it used to be, why the plain smell doctrine isn’t as clear-cut, and what this means for drivers, law enforcement, and anyone interested in constitutional rights.

If you’ve ever wondered how legalization affects your rights on the road—or if you just enjoy following the ever-changing world of criminal law—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Moments

00:00 "Fourth Amendment and Automotive Exception"

03:55 Ohio's Plain Smell Doctrine Explained

08:06 "Probable Cause and Police Inquiry"

10:45 "Law and Society Evolving"

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• The “Plain Smell Doctrine” Isn’t What It Used To Be: The once-clear rule that the odor of marijuana gave police probable cause to search your car is now muddy in Ohio and other states with legalized cannabis. Police must consider if there’s a legal reason for the odor before jumping to conclusions.
• Legalization Shifts the Burden: With legal medical and recreational marijuana, officers should now do more investigating before deciding to search. Simply smelling marijuana isn’t enough—they need facts pointing toward illegality.
• Know Your Rights: If you’re ever pulled over and marijuana is involved, you aren’t required to answer all questions. Like Steve Palmer emphasized, politely exercising your right to remain silent could matter more than ever as courts adapt to new laws.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm...