So You Got Arrested

The Texas justice system can feel like a maze, especially during high-activity times like Fiesta in San Antonio . In this episode of So You Got Arrested , the attorneys at BRCK Criminal Defense sit down with Sal Martinez —a former DPS trooper, DEA agent, and bestselling author of Narc —who now operates as a bail bondsman. We break down the financial and legal realities of getting a loved one out o...

Fiesta is finally here in San Antonio! While everyone is looking forward to Oyster Bake, live music, and gorditas, the festive season also brings a massive spike in law enforcement activity. In this episode, host Rudy Campos Jr. and the team at BRCK Criminal Defense sit down with Sal Martinez —former DPS trooper, DEA agent, and current bail bondsman—to pull back the curtain on how to navigate the...

The Texas justice system is notoriously messy, especially when it involves a DWI . In this episode of So You Got Arrested , attorneys Jacob Lindberg and James Heath from BRCK Defense pull back the curtain on the immediate and long-term consequences of a driving while intoxicated arrest in San Antonio and throughout Texas. From the moment you’re asked for a specimen to the complexities of keeping y...

In this episode of So You Got Arrested , host Jacob Lindberg welcomes Zack Dunn , a candidate for the Texas House of Representatives and a dedicated prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit . Zack reflects on his upbringing in a military family and how those "every two years" moves built the conscientiousness required to lead. From his time as UTSA Student Body President to the halls of Pe...

Human trafficking is one of the most misunderstood crimes in the Texas justice system . In this episode of So You Got Arrested , hosts and BRCK Defense attorneys Jacob Lindberg and Steve Barrera sit down with Kirsten Melton , a leading authority on human trafficking, to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding this pervasive issue. From the quiet suburbs of San Antonio to rural Frio County, traff...

What happens when one of Texas' most formidable prosecutors decides to run for District Attorney? In this episode of So You Got Arrested , hosts Steve Barrera and Jacob Lindberg sit down with Kirsta Melton , a 25-year veteran prosecutor who has spent her career tackling the heaviest cases in the system—from child abuse to statewide human trafficking syndicates. Kirsta shares her journey from...

The phrase "keep my record clean" is the #1 goal for almost everyone entering the justice system, but what does that actually mean in Texas? In this episode of So You Got Arrested , Jacob Lindberg and Steve Barrera of BRCK Criminal Defense pull back the curtain on the confusing world of criminal records, arrests, and the long-term consequences of "deals" that sound better than...

In this episode of So You Got Arrested , host Steve Barrera of BRCK Defense sits down with Veronica Legarreta , candidate for Bexar County District Attorney . Veronica shares her unique path to the legal field—from her secret life as an acting major and improv comic to her roles as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and city magistrate. They explore the "human aspect" of criminal law and di...

Meli Carrión Powers, a career prosecutor with nearly 25 years of experience. As the current Chief of the Family Violence Division—the largest division in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office—Meli provides an unfiltered look at the high-stakes world of prosecuting violent crimes, child abuse, and human trafficking. The conversation dives deep into the operational challenges of the justice sy...

Meli Carrión Powers,  a candidate for Bexar County District Attorney, to discuss her journey from a small-town "Sandcrab" in Port Lavaca to the front lines of the criminal trial division. Whether you're facing charges or simply want to understand your rights, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-curtain look at how the District Attorney's office actually functions. Meli share...

In this episode of So You Got Arrested , hosts Steve Barrera and Jacob Lindbergh sit down with Jane Davis , a veteran prosecutor and candidate for Bexar County District Attorney . With a career spanning over four decades in San Antonio and experience serving under seven different District Attorneys, Davis brings a unique, "boots-on-the-ground" perspective to the race. From her early days...

What actually happens in a felony criminal court, and why does the person behind the bench matter so much to your privacy and your future? In this episode of So You Got Arrested , hosts Steve Barrera and Jacob Lindberg sit down with Stephanie Franco , a long-time prosecutor and candidate for the 187th District Court in Bexar County. Stephanie shares her unique journey from serving as a juvenile pu...

The Texas justice system can be messy, but understanding how to navigate it—especially after an arrest—is crucial. In this episode of So You Got Arrested , host Scott Simpson of BRIC Criminal Defense sits down with Sal Martinez , owner of Freedom Bail Bonds and author of NARC: Confessions of an Undercover Agent . Sal brings a unique, 360-degree perspective to the table. Having served as a Texas St...

In this episode of So You Got Arrested , host Scott Simpson sits down with Democratic primary candidate Meredith Chacon to discuss her run for Bexar County District Attorney. Chacon, a former prosecutor and victim advocate with over 18 years of experience, dives deep into the systemic issues currently plaguing the DA's office—from a lack of communication between units to alarming dismissal ra...

In this episode of So You Got Arrested , hosts Steve Barrera and Scott Simpson sit down with retired San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officer Greg Andrade. With 29 years on the force, Greg shares an inside look at the transition from rookie patrol officer to Uniform Evidence Detective . The conversation dives deep into the realities of life on the "West Patrol," the complexities of p...

The journey to justice in the Texas legal system is fraught with challenges. On this candid episode of So You Got Arrested , criminal defense attorneys welcome Oscar Salinas, a Democratic candidate for Bexar County District Attorney, to discuss his platform for change. Salinas, who honed his skills as a line prosecutor under former DA Nico LaHood and served in Denton County, stresses the urgent ne...

The Texas justice system can be complex, especially when dealing with probation. In this episode of "So You Got Arrested," BRCK criminal defense attorneys break down the ins and outs of probation, focusing specifically on what happens when a violation of probation —also known as a Motion to Revoke (MTR) or a Motion to Adjudicate (MTA) —is filed. We clarify the difference between the two...

Criminal defense attorneys BRCK host an exciting discussion with Shannon Locke , a board-certified criminal defense attorney and candidate for Bexar County District Attorney. The conversation breaks down the messy nature of the Texas justice system, focusing on Bexar County's current challenges and the changes Locke proposes. Locke, who has experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorn...

Tune in as BRCK Criminal Defense attorneys break down critical constitutional rights in the context of Texas arrests. This episode demystifies common legal phrases like "pleading the fifth" (Fifth Amendment self-incrimination) and the Miranda Rule (custody and interrogation). The hosts also cover Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure in vehicles, discussing the...

 In this special Veterans Day episode of So You Got Arrested, we sit down with BRCK criminal defense attorney James Heath, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. James shares his unique and non-traditional journey into law, discussing how his initial attempt at community college didn't stick, leading him to enlist in the Marines, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He reveals h...

This episode features a conversation with Judge Tina Hartman , making her the podcast's first sitting judge guest. The discussion centers on the expectations and unspoken rules judges wish defendants and attendees knew when coming to court.  Key Topics Discussed: Appropriate Court Attire (00:55): Judge Hartman stresses the need to dress respectfully for the institution. The hosts emphatically...

This episode of So You Got Arrested dives deep into the often-misunderstood Texas juvenile justice system with a special guest, Judge Christina "Tina" Hartmann , who shares her experience as both a prosecutor and a judge in juvenile court. The discussion begins by highlighting the fundamental difference between the juvenile and adult systems: the juvenile system's primary goal is re...

Attorneys Steve Barrera and Brian Powers detail the defense of John , an honor student charged with the murder of his high school counselor, Dr. Peña , who was grooming him. 🔎 Explosive Evidence of Predation After a year delay in discovery, the defense gained access to Dr. Peña's phone records , revealing a massive pattern of abuse. Hundreds of Thousands of Texts showed Peña grooming scores...

The Texas justice system is often messy—so let's break it down. You're listening to So You Got Arrested , the podcast that tells you what really happens after an arrest. In this explosive episode, hosted by BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys , we discuss the case of John Alvarado , an 18-year-old honor student from Dimmit County, Texas, who was charged with murder after killing his high sch...

Step into the intricate world of criminal justice as we break down the stark differences between the Texas State Court and the Federal Court systems. In this illuminating episode, the BRCK defense attorneys host legendary prosecutor and former judge Joey Contreras . With 18 years as a revered U.S. Attorney, handling massive cases like racketeering and Mexican Mafia trials, followed by his appointm...