Come Back With a Warrant

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Monica and Brandon sit down with attorney Isai Bonilla, a criminal defense and immigration lawyer who lives and works every day at the intersection of two systems most people never see collide—until they’re in the middle of it. Crimmigration — the overlap of criminal charges and immigration consequences — is one of the most misunderstood and explosive area...

This week, Monica and Brandon break down five huge cases currently shaping criminal justice across the country — touching everything from religious rights behind bars to guns and weed, probable cause in a post-marijuana world, and even whether a defendant can talk to their lawyer during an overnight break. If you want to know where the law is heading in 2026, this is the episode to listen to.&nbsp...

In this episode, Monica and Brandon dive into one of the most misunderstood areas of criminal law: who is actually allowed to use force, when they’re allowed to use it, and why citizens get arrested for things they think are “helping.” From police use of tasers and takedowns to everyday people tackling shoplifters, this conversation breaks down the actual legal standards behind force, reasonablene...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — unless you’re a porch pirate, a drunk driver, or someone who thinks booby-trapping your front porch is “totally legal.” This week, Monica and Brandon unwrap the wild world of holiday crimes, breaking down the real laws behind the season’s messiest moments. From Home Alone traps to office-party DUIs, we’re covering the naughty list from top to bottom. Whet...

People think criminal defense lawyers are the least ethical. In reality, we’re the most watched, tested, and policed attorneys in the system. In this episode, Monica and Brandon break down the tightrope every defense lawyer walks — where one mistake can cost your license, not just your case. From bar exams and background checks to trust accounts and client secrets, nothing in this job is off the e...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Brandon and Monica sit down with Lyric White — a devoted mother, wife, and criminal justice advocate whose life took a dramatic turn after her husband’s incarceration. What began as heartbreak has evolved into purpose as Lyric now uses her voice, her education, and her lived experience to push for meaningful reform in a system that impacts millions o...

Is the hardest part of being a criminal defense attorney the law… or your clients? Monica and Brandon unpack the chaos of client control — when emotions, pride, and panic take the wheel. From clients who reject plea deals to prove a point, to the ones fighting addiction, denial, or delusion, this episode dives into what it really takes to manage the people behind the cases. They share war stories...

Monica and Brandon put artificial intelligence on trial — from Zoom court chaos to AI-written briefs that got lawyers sanctioned. They break down how tech is reshaping the courtroom: AI tools for lawyers and judges, virtual witnesses, and what happens when the human element gets lost behind the screen. It’s smart, funny, and a little unsettling — justice has officially gone digital.    &...

Monica and Brandon get real about the chaos of running their own law firms — no bosses, no backup, just pure grit (and caffeine). They share what law school didn’t teach: building a brand, handling hate comments, balancing clients and content, and betting everything on yourself. It’s messy, funny, and 100% honest — welcome to the solo attorney grind.             ...

Monica and Brandon break down Florida’s Fall 2025 criminal-law updates in plain English. We cover why refusing your first DUI breath test is now its own misdemeanor and how the “probable cause beyond a reasonable doubt” wrinkle could confuse juries and reshape diversion and plea talks. We talk Florida’s open-carry reality (and where private businesses can still say no), the new “super-speeder” cri...

Monica and Brandon put the death penalty on the stand—what it is, who qualifies, and how Florida changed the rules after Parkland. They walk through Phase 1 (guilt) and Phase 2 (penalty), break down aggravating vs. mitigating factors, and explain why a prosecutor’s notice of intent sets the whole machine in motion. From money and appeals to victims’ families and politics, this is the unfiltered lo...

Monica and Brandon sit down with Fabiola VanOtteren, a former courtroom probation officer who’s seen everything—from wild excuses to creative attempts at cheating drug tests. Fabiola pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to supervise defendants, work side-by-side with prosecutors and defense attorneys, and keep a straight face when chaos unfolds in court. As fate would have it, she was t...

Monica and Brandon turn the mic over to the audience in this Q&A edition of Come Back with a Warrant. From pre-arrest investigations to the snitch factor, no topic is off-limits. Real listener questions, raw lawyer answers—served with insight, honesty, and a little courtroom sass. Got a burning question of your own? Drop it on any of our social media platforms and it just might make the next e...

Where’s the line between your First Amendment rights and a criminal charge? Monica and Brandon dive into the messy divide between protected speech, hate speech, and when words themselves can land you in court. 🎙️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:  @ComeBackWi...

The knock hasn’t come yet—but the cops are already building a case. Monica and Brandon break down what happens in a pre-arrest investigation, what it means to be “a person of interest,” and how to protect yourself before charges ever drop. 🎙️Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant. Podcast 📸 Inst...

Jury duty isn’t just waiting around with a number. From voir dire to deliberations, Monica and Brandon pull back the curtain on what lawyers are really looking for during jury selection—and what jurors can expect once they’re sworn in. It’s the courtroom from both sides of the box. Love the show? Don’t miss an episode — hit follow or subscribe wherever you listen! 🎙️Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follo...

On this episode of Come Back with a Warrant, Monica and Brandon take on one of the most controversial topics in criminal law: sexual relationships between teachers and students. They explore where the law draws hard lines, how power dynamics complicate the idea of consent, and why not every case should be treated with the same brush. From scandal to sentencing, the conversation challenges assumpti...

In this episode of Come Back with a Warrant, Monica and Brandon unpack how the content we post—or that happens to be out there—can significantly impact legal proceedings. From criminal charges to public scrutiny, social media has quietly (and sometimes explosively) become a central player in modern courtrooms. Featured Cases: Marlena Velez (Florida TikTok Influencer): The 22-year-old posted a haul...

Brandon and Monica welcome their first guest—and it’s personal. Trial lawyer, business owner, and Brandon’s wife, Jennifer Dinetz joins the show to share: The viral courthouse proposal story that started it all Her rise as one of Florida’s top young attorneys The “only in Florida” gator case that made it to Jeopardy! Love, law, and a little bit of chaos—this episode has it all. 👉 If you have been...

Monica and Brandon unpack how Florida’s Marcy’s Law shapes domestic violence cases — and why the truth in court often looks nothing like the headlines. From false accusations to real dangers, they reveal what really drives which cases get fought, dropped, or won.                                      &nbs...

Think being a lawyer is all surprise witnesses and last-minute breakthroughs? Think again. Monica and Brandon pull back the curtain on the real legal grind — the strategy, the slog, and the moments that never make it to the big screen.                                              &nbs...

Monica and Brandon get real about the decision that shaped their careers — leaving the prosecution table to stand beside the accused. From moral crossroads to courtroom battles, they share the moments that changed their views on justice and why they believe everyone deserves a fierce advocate.                              &...

In this debut episode of Come Back with a Warrant , meet your hosts— Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz —two former courtroom opponents turned podcast partners. We’re criminal defense lawyers with wildly different backstories, but one thing in common: we’re obsessed with the messy, fascinating, and sometimes ridiculous world of criminal law. We kick things off by sharing: How we met (spoiler: it invo...

Ever wonder if cops can really do that? Or why someone would take a plea deal if they’re innocent? Come Back With a Warrant is a bold, no-BS criminal defense podcast hosted by two former courtroom rivals turned co-hosts. Monica Ishak (former public defender) and Brandon Dinetz (former prosecutor) pull back the curtain on the legal system…one real case, viral moment, and wild courtroom story at a t...