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PODCAST

Next Witness...Please

WOUB Public Media

Ever found yourself lost in legal jargon? Fear not! Our mission is to decode complex legal concepts into everyday language, making them accessible to all. Meet your hosts, the dynamic duo known as the Judicial Twins! Retired judge Tom Hodson brings over 50 years of legal expertise as a trial judge, defense attorney, and former Judicial Fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States. Retired judge Gayle William-Byers, with more than two decades of public service as a prosecutor and judge, is now

government politics

All Episodes

55:00

Judges vs. Journalists: Who Masters Objectivity?

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/08/13

Judges are supposed to be unbiased and objective. So are journalists. Is that possible in 2024? Do our preconceived biases seep into our work? Is objectivity even possible? Every judge comes to the bench with his/her own life experiences, biases, and personality, yet the judge is expected to put all of that aside to objectively determine all issues. The same is true of journalists. In court, there is the necessity to hear both sides of a legal argument before the judge decides a case. Are

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122:05

Biden Proposes Massive Changes to Supreme Court

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/08/06

After the presidential immunity decision and other precedent crushing opinions by the U.S. Supreme Court, President Joseph Biden is proposing significant changes to the court.He has proposed term limits for the justices and wants those to be imposed retroactively. Justices currently have lifetime appointments. Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the most senior justices on the court and instantly would be impacted by the retroactivity. President Biden

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68:33

U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Spark Concern for Democracy

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/07/29

As the U.S. Supreme Court term ended, it issued a series of monumental decisions.One sharply curtailed the power of federal administrative agencies to interpret the laws they administer, overturning a precedent from 1984. Just three days later, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court granted the president almost complete immunity from any criminal prosecutions. In response to these decisions, Dr. Stephen Goldman, a psychiatrist, historian and author, joined “Next Witness…Please” to express his deep

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55:52

Trump’s Classified Documents Case Dismissed in Florida

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/07/16

Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, in Florida, issued a 93-page opinion on July 15 dismissing all 40 counts against Donald Trump of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them.Her ruling was based on outlier opinions that the appointment of Special Prosecutor was unconstitutional and that his office was being unconstitutionally funded by the U. S. Treasury. Her decision is contrary to all other decisions regarding the office of Special Prosecutor even

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64:02

How will the Supreme Court’s immunity decision impact...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/07/09

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on presidential immunity raises as many questions as it answers.It requires trial judges in Trump’s pending criminal cases to hold evidentiary hearings to determine if his actions fall outside official acts, which are not protected by immunity. Trial courts must also assess what evidence can be used to support the remaining charges. The Supreme Court has ruled that testimony or private records related to official acts cannot be used in trials for unofficial

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63:18

Understanding the Supreme Court’s Presidential...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/07/08

A week has passed since the U.S. Supreme Court's monumental ruling on presidential immunity, leaving everyone grappling with its implications. · Did the Court grant presidents unchecked power to break laws under "official acts"? · Has our democracy shifted towards a monarchy or autocracy where the president is above the law? · Are lower court judges now tasked with the impossible job of distinguishing "official acts" from "unofficial acts" without considering presidential motives? In this

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63:22

Supreme Court Justices: Ethics, recusal and public...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/06/28

The U. S. Supreme Court has hit an all-time low in public trust and confidence.In this episode of "Next Witness...Please," retired judges Gayle Williams-Byers and Tom Hodson explore the reasons behind this decline and the immense power wielded by Supreme Court justices. They delve into why the public sees the court as more political than judicial, eroding faith in the rule of law. The episode also addresses shady financial dealings, unreported gifts, and questionable public actions and

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46:14

Presentence investigations important even in Trump’s...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/06/19

After a guilty verdict and before sentencing of a criminal defendant, the judge usually orders the probation department to conduct a presentence investigation to help guide the judge in sentencing. As in the New York cases against Donald Trump, the probation department will assemble information from numerous sources to prepare a written report for Judge Juan Merchan to use as he prepares to render Trump’s sentence on July 11. The presentence report acts as a guide for a judge in decision

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60:19

Unmasking Jury Mysteries: Behind the Scenes of Jury...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/06/05

In this riveting episode of “Next Witness…Please,” retired judges Gayle Williams Byers and Tom Hodson take you on an eye-opening journey through the often-misunderstood world of jury instructions and deliberations.Following Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 state felony counts in New York, the air is thick with rumors and conspiracy theories about Judge Juan Merchan’s jury instructions and the deliberation process. Our hosts tackle these myths head-on, breaking down the intricacies of jury

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58:31

Why so many motions in criminal cases and what’s so...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/05/22

This episode of “Next Witness…Please” dives into different kinds of motions filed by defendants in criminal cases and why they are so important. Retired judges Tom Hodson and Gayle Williams-Byers guide you through the strategies behind filing “pre-trial” and “during trial” motions in a criminal case. They talk about motions in limine, motions to suppress evidence, motions for mistrials and motions to acquit. They also unfold some of the mysteries and strategies behind closing arguments for both

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63:12

Burdens of Proof and Examining Witnesses Explained...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/05/17

Join us as we unravel the complexities of burdens of proof and witness examination, guided by our seasoned experts - the "Judicial Twins." With the New York trial of Donald Trump drawing to a close, it's prime time to explore the intricacies of criminal and civil cases, along with equity matters. From the formidable standard of "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" to the more straightforward "preponderance," we'll demystify it all with real-world examples. Tune in as we navigate the terrain of

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60:35

Unveiling Trump's Trial: Jury Selection, Opening...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/05/04

Join us on “Next Witness... Please” for an exclusive deep dive into the high-profile Trump New York trial, where jury selection, opening statements, and contempt hearings have taken center stage. Led by the dynamic 'Judicial Twins,' retired judges Gayle Williams-Byers and Tom Hodson, this episode serves as your guide to understanding the legal intricacies of the case. Discover how jury selection unfolds, including the tactics used by counsel and the court to dismiss potential jurors. Contrary to

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2:00

Introducing "Next Witness... Please" with the...

Next Witness...Please ·

2024/05/01

Hello everyone! We're thrilled to invite you to join us on a captivating journey through the legal world with our brand-new podcast, "Next Witness... Please," produced by WOUB Public Media. Ever found yourself lost in legal jargon? Fear not! Our mission is to decode complex legal concepts into everyday language, making them accessible to all. Meet your hosts, the dynamic duo known as the Judicial Twins! Retired judge Tom Hodson brings over 50 years of legal expertise as a trial judge, defense

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