Another Not Guilty

We're kicking off 2025 with a banger. Desiree Garrity from the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office brings us a case that shows just how twisted the system can get. Her client — a survivor of sex trafficking — was prosecuted by the DA's office for allegedly assaulting her trafficker. That's right: instead of protecting the victim, the state doubled down and tried to make her the criminal. Desiree...

In this episode, Dallas and Rachel take the helm as hosts and sit down with two public defenders from Montgomery County, Ohio. Their client was hit with a domestic violence charge after an ex-girlfriend got scratched — not from a fight, but from the two struggling over a big wad of cash . The state tried to spin it into something criminal, but the defense team wasn't buying it. With persistence, c...

Check out this case from the heart of Los Angeles County's wildest corner — Palmdale. Christina Sarkiss, a badass public defender from L.A. County, takes us inside a courtroom tale that proves once again why public defenders are the last line of defense against overcharging and sloppy prosecutions. With sharp trial skills and fearless advocacy, Christina walked her client out the front door with a...

From Montgomery County, Ohio, public defenders Nicole & Elizabeth share a jaw-dropping case where their client was put on a law enforcement hold, taken to a hospital, and then literally dumped onto the streets after being discharged. The state tried to turn this ordeal into criminal liability — but Nicole & Elizabeth weren't about to let that stand. With sharp advocacy and relentless defen...

For our 100th episode, we bring you one of the most compelling and difficult conversations yet. This case is notoriously known as the capital trial of Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland shooter. Our special guests are Casey Secor, one of the attorneys, and Katie O'Shea, the mitigation specialist. Together, they give a rare and insightful look into the high-stakes defense work that saved Nikolas Cruz's lif...

This one comes straight out of Sacramento. Public defender Kyle H tells the tale of a client with six children by six different women — and one of them put a criminal case on him. What followed was a messy family drama dragged into a courtroom, where the state thought the jury would buy their story. Kyle, however, cut through the chaos with sharp advocacy and a clear defense narrative, leading the...

This one's straight out of a small-town sitcom. Public defender Matt Kellegrew from the Nevada City Public Defender's Office shares how a domestic violence case unraveled after the investigating officers — who just happened to be married to each other — put their credibility on trial. Add in Ashley Ray as a special guest co-host, and you've got the perfect mix of courtroom drama and comic relief....

This episode flips the script: instead of a public defender telling the tale, we hear from a prosecutor reflecting on a not guilty verdict they say came down to jury nullification. The case? A neighborhood watch gone wrong. The charges? Serious enough that the state thought conviction was a lock. But the jury had other ideas. Was this a bold act of jury independence — or just the state refusing to...

This episode stars Dustin Talbot, a Federal Deputy Public Defender, who shares one of the most jaw-dropping trial stories we've heard in a while. His client — who had snitched on his gang — found himself in the crosshairs of a "G-Queen" whose crew tried to have him killed. What followed was a courtroom chess match with life-and-death stakes. Dustin breaks down how he maneuvered through the prosecu...

This episode highlights the grit and dedication of the Monroe County Public Defender's Office in Indiana. Kyle Duggar and his team share how they defended a client accused of attempted murder — a case tangled up in issues of race, guns, and even a subway sandwich. The prosecution thought they had their narrative locked, but the defense dismantled it piece by piece, exposing the holes and showing t...

Season 6 kicks off with a bang — literally. Zack Kitaynik from the San Joaquin Public Defender's Office takes us inside a murder trial where his client faced life-changing charges. The state painted it as cold-blooded, but Zack showed the jury the truth: this was self-defense. Through sharp advocacy and fearless trial work, Zack dismantled the prosecution's theory and gave the jury the roadmap to...

Two Detroit public defenders take us inside a chilling case where their client was accused of the unthinkable — shooting and killing his own mother with a shotgun. The state built a murder case on bad assumptions, lazy detective work, and tunnel vision. But here's the twist: multiple suspects, hidden leads, and defense attorneys who refused to let the jury swallow the state's story. Piece by piece...

In this episode, a public defender walks us through a wild week in which he won two separate jury trials for the same client. The prosecution thought they had their "expert" angle locked down, but sharp cross and relentless advocacy showed otherwise. From shaky testimony to overblown charges, this defender dismantled the state's case not once, but twice — proving that sometimes the best way to han...

You've seen bad prosecutions before, but have you ever seen a police officer literally hopping around a courtroom? In this episode, a young, passionate public defender takes on a ridiculous case where the state's star witness — a cop — tried to prove to a jury how a tied-up person could "walk" to a police car… by bouncing around like it was a courtroom talent show. The defense didn't need theatric...

Oh boy — this title is just the tip of the iceberg. In Wisconsin, two badass public defenders took on a case where the allegations were loud, the prosecution was confident, and the evidence? Paper thin. What unfolded was a wild ride of cross-examination, contradictions, and defense strategy that shredded the state's story until there was nothing left standing. The result: not guilty . Because some...

Meet Gabe & Ana — better known as Belligerent & Sneaky — a powerhouse public defender trial duo who prove once again why you never plead guilty too soon. In this case, their client nearly pled guilty at arraignment, but thanks to a twist from the judge, the case went to trial. That's where Gabe & Ana worked their magic, exposing the cracks in the state's theory and securing a not guilt...

Family drama, digital receipts, and a whole lot of reasonable doubt. In this episode, a cousin accused her own cousin of sexual assault — but the prosecution's story unraveled thanks to a treasure trove of emails between the two. What started as a serious allegation turned into a courtroom demolition, as the defense used the inbox to shred the state's theory piece by piece. By the time the jury sa...

This not guilty comes straight out of Oregon, where a young couple's fight over some weed spiraled into an alleged domestic violence case. The state thought they had drama on their side, but what they didn't have was proof. Enter two Oregon public defenders who were equal parts tenacious and innovative. With sharp trial strategy and creative advocacy, they showed the jury the truth and walked thei...

This week we've got a double feature: guest co-host Hunter Parnell from Public Defenseless and guest public defender Hillary from Salt Lake City. Hillary shares the story of a murder charge her client faced stemming from when he was just 16 — sitting in a car when the driver shot and killed someone, then blamed him for it. The state built their entire case around guilt by association, but Hillary...

This episode features two outstanding public defenders who team up for a case straight out of a law school exam and a wrestling mat. Their client — a former state wrestling champ — was accused of assault after putting his lover in a half nelson. But here's the twist: he did it to stop her from harming herself. The prosecution tried to turn a life-saving move into a criminal act, but the defense wa...

Public Defender Ali Siddiqi takes center stage in this episode, pulling off one of his sharpest tricks yet: walking his client on a sexual battery charge the state swore they had nailed down. Some people are just touchy-feely, some aren't — and Ali showed the jury exactly why his client didn't belong in the latter category. With skillful advocacy and a little courtroom magic, he made the prosecuti...

Former public defender Patrick Wilson brings us one of his all-time favorite trials — a case where his client faced multiple counts of attempted murder and arson, with the state pushing for life without parole. The supposed crime? Accidentally causing a fire in his ex-girlfriend's house. With sharp advocacy, Patrick dismantled the prosecution's "murder-by-fire" theory and showed the jury that what...

This one's got it all: a gang murder prosecution, shady cops hiding evidence, an OG gangster out of central casting testifying for the defense, and a judge making prosecution-friendly rulings like it was their side hustle. But even with the deck stacked, Public Defender Jimmy showed the jury the truth: this was self-defense, not murder. With grit, skill, and fearless cross, he tore down the state'...

Three-time ANG guest Ania returns with another trial defense masterpiece. Her client was accused of stabbing a man, but the truth was clear: it was self-defense. The twist? The judge refused to give a self-defense instruction. But the jury wasn't having it. They saw through the state's case, ignored the judge's attempt to tilt the scales, and delivered justice on their own terms. As one juror basi...

Public Defender Adella steps into trial and takes on a case built on the shakiest of foundations: lying children and sloppy police work. With sharp advocacy and relentless cross, she showed the jury that the truth was nowhere in the state's file. The result? Not guilty. And this one was a true team effort — shout out to our good buddy Walid, who handled the prelim and got the charges reduced to a...