Wondering why your public defender keeps telling you to plead guilty? Here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever sat across from your public defender and wondered, “Why on earth do they keep telling me to plead guilty?”—you’re not alone, and you’re asking the right questions. I tackle that awkward, frustrating situation and clears the air on what’s really happening in the world of criminal defense.

I explore what lawyers do when clients want to fight a case, but the odds (and the evidence) aren’t exactly in their favor. It’s not the lawyer’s job to decide if someone is guilty. That’s up to the court and the jury. Instead, lawyers focus on whether the government can actually prove their case.

Legal advice isn’t about judging you. It’s about looking out for your best interests. Sometimes, pleading guilty can actually get you a better result if a trial is likely to end badly. But even if your lawyer thinks you did it, it doesn’t mean they won’t stand by you, go to trial, and fight for your rights.

Quick Takeaways:

• Public defenders aren’t trying to judge. They want to make sure the government can really prove their case 00:42.
• Sometimes a guilty plea is just the better option if the odds are against you 01:56.
• You always have the choice to fight your case, but your lawyer’s advice helps you make an informed call 02:05.
• Defense lawyers are essential for making sure everyone, guilty or innocent, gets a fair shake in court 01:37.
• Honest conversations about the evidence and your chances are what really matter before heading to trial 02:05.

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 2026 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

Ever wondered if being tipsy or medicated in court messes up your case? Get the answers right here.

Let’s be honest—court can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes people show up still feeling the effects from the night before. The law actually says about pleading guilty while you’re under the influence, and why you might want to think twice before trying it. The need for your plea to be totally voluntary, smart, and informed, which basically means you need to be sober and in your right mind.

Judges and lawyers do look for signs you might be out of it.

Big Takeaways:

• You can’t give a real guilty plea if you’re drunk, high, or groggy from medication; the court wants to know you totally get what’s happening 00:40.
• Judges often ask about any meds you’re on and check if you’re clear-headed before moving things along 00:59.
• Show up impaired? The judge might just send you to jail to “sleep it off” and delay your case until you’re sober 02:44.
• If you pleaded guilty while out of it, there might be a way to undo that plea, if you can prove you weren’t sober at the time 03:32.
• Best advice? Don’t make big legal decisions if you’ve been drinking or medicated. Wait until you’re thinking straight 04:18.

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 2026 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

Are lie detector tests admissible in Ohio criminal trials? Discover the truth about polygraphs in felony cases and plea deals.

Even when a defendant passes a polygraph, Ohio courts generally do not allow these results unless there’s a rare, risky stipulation between the prosecution and defense.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why polygraph results are usually not admissible in Ohio felony hearings or trials
• What a "stipulated polygraph" is, and why it’s rarely used
• How passing (or failing) a polygraph can impact plea negotiations with prosecutors
• Real examples where polygraphs affected charging decisions
• Strategic advice on navigating polygraph offers in criminal cases

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Polygraph Test

1. Are polygraph results admissible in Ohio criminal trials? No, polygraph results are generally not admissible in felony hearings or trials in Ohio unless there is a rare stipulated agreement 00:45.
2. What is a stipulated polygraph in Ohio law? A stipulated polygraph is an agreement where both sides consent in advance to admit the results in court, but it carries significant risk for the defense 01:24.
3. Can passing a polygraph help with plea negotiations? Yes, passing a polygraph can sometimes influence prosecutors during plea deals, even if the results aren’t used in court 02:46.
4. Should defendants agree to a stipulated polygraph? The discussion highlighted the dangers; most defense attorneys avoid it because a failed result can be used against the defendant at trial 01:57.
5. Do police ever use polygraph results in deciding to file charges? Yes, there are cases where police use polygraph outcomes when deciding whether or not to bring charges, but there’s no consistent rule 03:16.

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 2026 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