Beyond the Gavel with Judge Ron Rangel

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The need for a reliable and effective criminal justice system in a community is clear. However, where the rubber meets the road, our robust system of checks and balances gets complicated quickly. Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guests, every other week, as they break down how this most vital of systems works. Each episode contains powerful, entertaining, and informative conversations with first-hand participants — e.g., prosecutors, defense counsel, probation personnel, jail staff, and the defendants themselves — who all have a stake in achieving the same overarching goal: Justice.

Judge Ron Rangel

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    • May 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Beyond the Gavel with Judge Ron Rangel

    Episode 49: Courtroom to Newsroom with Erica Hernandez

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 75:52


    Text the JudgeFrom the courtroom to the newsroom…Judge Ron Rangel and KSAT 12 Courthouse Reporter, Erica Hernandez discuss the important and difficult work of courtroom journalism. Topics include how media and criminal law intersect, the logistical challenges of courtroom reporting, and the enormous responsibility that comes with shaping public opinion. Support the show

    Episode 48: Dogs in the Courtroom? With Cynthia "Happy" McNeely Buttles

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 51:08


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and Cynthia "Happy" McNeely Buttles as they discuss how therapy dogs in the courtroom provide comfort and relief during traumatic cases for jurors, victims and involved family members.Support the show

    Episode 47: Is Violent Crime on the Rise? With Ken W. Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 59:36


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and bail attorney Ken W. Good as they explore relevant crime statistics. From FBI data revisions to the impact of bail reform, this episode explores the implications for our criminal justice system.Support the show

    violent crimes ken w good
    Episode 46: Law School Today with St. Mary's University Law Students Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 61:00


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and his guests — St. Mary's Law School students Karagan Carson, Diego Lopez, & Tara Thompson — as they prepare for their last semester of law school and unpack the ever-changing world of legal education, preparing for the bar exam, and finding their first employment in the legal field.Support the show

    Episode 45: Being the One with Kirsta Melton & Jessica Cantu

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 72:51


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel, former Bexar County prosecutors Kirsta Melton, and Jessica Cantu as they describe the first two local human sex-trafficking trials, laying the groundwork for Bexar County's current sex trafficking unit.Support the show

    Episode 44: Andre McDonald with John Hunter

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 63:21


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Rangel and criminal defense attorney John Hunter as they discuss the high-profile Andre McDonald murder trial and the unique legal challenges and evidence that led up to the shocking verdict returned in that case.Support the show

    Episode 43: The Medical Center Rapist with Jonathan Watkins Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 40:34


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Jonathan Watkins for this second of a two-part series detailing the facts and finer legal points in the infamous Medical Center Rapist case and how, after a two-year investigation, Anton Harris was finally brought to justice.

    Episode 42: The Medical Center Rapist with Jonathan Watkins Pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 49:10


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Jonathan Watkins for this first of a two-part series detailing the facts and finer legal points in the infamous Medical Center Rapist case and how, after a two-year investigation, Anton Harris was finally brought to justice.Support the show

    rapists medical center jonathan watkins
    Episode 41: Q&A II with Judge Ron Rangel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 33:20


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel as he dedicates an entire episode to answering questions and fan mail submitted by you—our valued listeners. From his daily judicial duties, to his most memorable cases, Judge Rangel offers his insights and experiences about how best to understand and navigate our criminal justice system.Support the Show.

    Episode 40: Unpredictable Defendants with John Kuntz

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 47:56


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Rangel and Criminal Defense Attorney John Kuntz as they describe the unique challenges that come with zealously representing the difficult, unyielding, and often-times unappreciative criminal-defendant client.Support the Show.

    Episode 39: Mark Benavides with Meredith Chacon

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 50:12


    Text the JudgeJoin Judge Ron Rangel and former prosecutor Meredith Chacon as they discuss how Mark Benavides — a former defense attorney and judicial candidate — was convicted and sentenced to 80 years' prison for exchanging legal services for sex in Bexar County.Support the Show.

    Episode 38: Part 2: Genene "Angel of Death" Jones with Jason Goss

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 49:07


    Text the JudgeIn this second of a two-part episode, Judge Ron Rangel and former prosecutor Jason Goss discuss how Genene Jones, the "Angel of Death," was finally brought to justice for poisoning over 60 babies as a neonatal intensive care nurse.

    Episode 37: Part 1. Genene "Angel of Death" Jones with Jason Goss

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 41:36


    Send Judge a TextIn this riveting two-part episode, Judge Ron Rangel and former prosecutor Jason Goss discuss the Genene Jones "Angel of Death" case, and how she was ultimately brought to justice for poisoning over 60 babies while employed as neo-natal intensive care nurse.Support the Show.

    Episode 36: Trellis Legal Intelligence with Nicole Clark

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 47:35


    Send Judge a TextJoin Judge Rangel and Trellis Founder and CEO Nicole Clark as they discuss the revolutionary legal intelligence employed by Trellis and why it differs from traditional legal databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis.To learn more about Trellis, browse their website or search for a case about your favorite celebrity: https://trellis.law/searchSupport the Show.

    Episode 35: Expungements with Rob Ambrosino

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later May 30, 2024 43:26


    Send Judge a TextJoin Judge Rangel and criminal defense attorney Rob Ambrosino as they discuss the similarities and differences between non-disclosures and expunctions, the processes for securing each remedy, and how they function in practice.Support the Show.

    Episode 34: Post-Conviction Work with Dayna Jones

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later May 16, 2024 41:15


    Send Judge a TextJoin Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Dayna Jones as they discuss writs and the procedural and substantive complexities of pursuing a direct appeal after a criminal conviction.Support the Show.

    Episode 33: Justice & Wellness: Crosspoint's Impact with Dr. Kevin Downey

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later May 2, 2024 41:52


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Crosspoint Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Kevin Downey as they explore Crosspoint's core missions of: [1] providing residential assistance to people experiencing emotional and mental challenges; [2] collaborating with our criminal justice system's rehabilitative services (including our specialty courts); and (3) establishing solid  community partnerships to promote mental health awareness.Support the Show.

    Episode 32: You're Getting a Divorce, Now What? With Lauren Jay Carrington Smyth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 44:35


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and divorce attorney Lauren Jay Carrington Smyth as they discuss the intricate substantive law and procedural rules governing family law, in general, and divorce in particular. Lauren shares details about the automated divorce website she has created: — uncontested.com —which seeks to simplify the process for those pursuing an uncontested divorce.Support the show

    Episode 31: Classroom Insights with Lisa Bonanni

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 33:35


    Join Judge Rangel and radio personality Lisa Bonanni, as they discuss the contemporary era of education and tackle the delicate equilibrium between mere student behavior and serious transgressions.Support the show

    Episode 30: Inside the Grand Jury with Former Grand Jurors

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 45:35


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guests — four recent Bexar County Grand Jurors  — who will provide first-hand accounts of their grand jury experiences, including how they reached indictment decisions and the vital role that such service plays in our criminal justice system.Support the show

    Episode 29: Unveiling the Realities of White-Collar Crime with John Teakell

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 42:38


    Join Judge Rangel and criminal defense attorney John Teakell as they explore John's transition from long-time federal and state prosecutor to current defense counsel in white-collar and other nontraditional, government created criminal charges.Support the show

    Episode 28: Public Policy with Councilwoman Marina Alderete GaVito

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 39:52


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito as they discuss San Antonio's new public safety action plan and other local-government initiatives aimed at enhancing safety in our city. They will explore the Councilwoman's visions for tackling such pressing District 7 challenges as animal control, infrastructure, and homelessness. Support the show

    Episode 27: The MAC: Immigration with Justin Tullius

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 45:33


    Join Judge Rangel and immigration attorney Justin Tullius as they discuss Bexar County's Managed Assigned Counsel Office (the “MAC”), which provides resources to panel attorneys who represent non-U.S. citizens accused of crimes.Support the show

    Episode 26: You've been arrested now what?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 44:12


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Charles Gold, as they discuss the critical next steps — both procedural and strategic  — after a person's initial arrest.Support the show

    Episode 25: Goodwill and Non-Profit Organizations with Jason Mata

    Play Episode Play 45 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 39:19


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Jason Mata, Director of the non-profit foundation “The Advocates Network,” as they discuss Mata's organizational work on the Westside of San Antonio, the community he hopes to assist and uplift.Support the show

    Episode 24: Feds vs. State with Scott McCrum

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 43:52


    Join us for BTG's one-year anniversary with your host, Judge Ron Rangel, and criminal defense attorney Scott McCrum as they discuss the differences between federal & state criminal proceedings. Support the show

    Episode 23: Protective Orders with Benton Leachman

    Play Episode Play 35 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 40:12


    In support of Domestic Violence Awareness month, join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Prosecutor Benton Leachman, in this episode as they discuss protective orders and processes involved in ensuring victim safety and justice.Bexar Cty. Protective Orders Division Information: Bexar County Family Justice Center126 E. Nueva St., 2nd FloorSan Antonio, Texas 78204Website: https://www.bcfjc.org/204/Protective-OrdersSupport the show

    Episode 22: Discovery with Jim Tocci

    Play Episode Play 38 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 38:39


    Join Judge Rangel and criminal defense attorney Jim Tocci as they take a deep dive into how to secure reasonable bail, discovery materials after the Michael Morton Act, and the government's role in these intricate legal processes.Support the show

    Episode 21: Magistration with Lauren Lefton

    Play Episode Play 36 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 44:08


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney and city magistrate  Lauren Lefton as they discuss the nuts & bolts of the preliminary magistration process and the emotionally charged issue of bail reform.Support the show

    Episode 20: San Antonio City Council with Councilman Marc Whyte

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 37:04


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte, as they discuss campaigning, current hot policy topics, and the newly elected Councilman's vision for San Antonio.Support the show

    Episode 19: Case Managing with Azalea Balderas-Barroso

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 39:23


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Case Manager Azalea Balderas-Barroso as they detail the unique rights and obligations of being a Felony Mental Health Pretrial Diversion case manager.Support the show

    Episode 18: Experiencing the FMHPTD with Vanessa Sandoval

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 41:51


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and pretrial diversion graduate Vanessa Sandoval as they shed light on the transformative work of the Bexar County Felony Mental-Health Pretrial Diversion Program.Support the show

    Episode 17: The Latest Specialty Courts & Probation Techniques with Emile Huggins

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 44:04


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Adult Probation Officer Emile Huggins as they explore the new cutting edge rehabilitative methods used to protect both our specialty-court probationers, and society at large.Support the show

    Episode 16: Law School Today with St. Mary's University Law Students

    Play Episode Play 45 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 44:44


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guests — St. Mary's Law School students Karagan Kusak, Diego Lopez, Ryan Blakey, & Meghan Monahan — as they unpack the evolving world of law school admissions, debunk myths about studying law, and provide invaluable insights for aspiring pre-law students.Support the show

    Episode 15: Q&A with Judge Ron Rangel

    Play Episode Play 50 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 35:28


    Join Judge Ron Rangel as he dedicates an entire episode to answering questions submitted by you — our valued listeners. From legal dilemmas to personal issues, Judge Rangel offers his insights and experiences about how best to understand and navigate our criminal justice system.Support the show

    Episode 14: Unravelling Family Violence with Lauren Scott

    Play Episode Play 46 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 48:58


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Prosecutor Lauren Scott as they shed light into the challenges family violence prosecutors and judges face, explore legal options for survivors, and describe efforts to enhance victim safety and offender accountability.  Texas Department of Criminal Services & Crime Victim Services Contact Information: Phone: 800-848-4284 |Fax: 512-452-0825| E-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.texas.gov|  Website: www.tdcj.texas.gov| Integrated Victim Services System (IVSS) Victim Portal: https://ivss.tdcj.texas.govPh Support the show

    Episode 13: Balancing Law Enforcement Challenges with Change & Opportunity with Constable Kathryn Brown

    Play Episode Play 34 sec Highlight Listen Later May 23, 2023 40:29


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Precinct 4 Constable Kat Brown as they deeply delve into their experiences with shifting societal norms and technological advancements by law enforcement.Support the show

    Episode 12: Capital Offenses with Daniel De La Garza

    Play Episode Play 42 sec Highlight Listen Later May 10, 2023 43:53


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Daniel De La Garza as they discuss the most hotly debated charge in the land: Capital Offenses and the potential death sentence.Support the show

    Episode 11: Jury Duty Operations with Julieta Schulze

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 42:45


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Bexar County Central Jury Bailiff Julieta Schulze, as they discuss the goals and methods of jury operations here in Bexar County. Support the show

    Episode 10: Court Interpreters with Carmen Tarragona Saez

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 45:54


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Carmen Tarragona Saez as they discuss the duties of the court interpreter in our criminal justice system.Support the show

    Episode 9: Social Work in the CJS with Marisol Morales

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 47:00


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Marisol Morales, Bexar County Public Defender's Office Licensed Master Social Worker, as they discuss the crucial but often overlooked role of social work in holistic indigent defense.Support the show

    social work marisol morales
    Episode 8: Human Rights Activism and Justice Reforms with Steve Huerta

    Play Episode Play 35 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 45:51


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Human Rights activist Steve Huerta  —director of the non-profit organization “All of Us or None” — in this powerful episode as they examine the important and timely issues of restorative justice, undue disenfranchisement, and rehabilitative services for the formerly incarcerated in our community. Support the show

    human rights reforms human rights activism steve huerta
    Episode 7: Grand Juries with Eddie Flores

    Play Episode Play 21 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 44:15


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and Bexar County Assistant District Attorney Eddie Flores as they demystify the method by which all manner of felony charging instruments, from regular citizens to police officers, are handled in Texas: the grand jury process.Support the show

    Episode 6: Jury Selection with Monica Guerrero

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 41:45


    Please join Judge Ron Rangel and criminal defense attorney Monica Guerrero as they discuss the art and science of jury selection. Tune in to see just how a “jury of your peers” is selected, from start to finish.Support the show

    Episode 5: Court Reporters with Mary Ross

    Play Episode Play 36 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 47:00


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his official  court reporter, Mary Ross, as they discuss one of the most indispensable, and often over looked, functions within our criminal justice system: the capture of an official record.Support the show

    court reporters
    Episode 4: Plea Bargains with Scott Simpson

    Play Episode Play 43 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 45:05


    Join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Scott Simpson, former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney, as they discuss one of the most common — and often misunderstood —methods of disposing of criminal charges: the plea bargain.Support the show

    Episode 3: Juvenile Courts with Judge William 'Cruz' Shaw

    Play Episode Play 41 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 34:20


    Please join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Judge William 'Cruz' Shaw, Judge-Elect for the 436th District Court, as they discuss how Juvenile courts generally operate, how Juvenile and adult courts differ, and what parents should know if their child is cited for delinquent conduct. Cruz is the first African American male district court judge elected in Bexar County, marking change and inclusion within the county's criminal justice system.Support the show

    Episode 2: Bexar County Justice Reforms: The MAC with Jim Bethke

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 40:36


    Please join Judge Ron Rangel and his guest Jim Bethke, executive director of Bexar County's new Managed Assigned Counsel Office, who will discuss how “the MAC” will help execute our county's local Indigent Defense Plan, state Fair Defense laws, and the Texas and U.S. Constitutions. As one of many Bexar County criminal justice reforms, this MAC will be the largest such office in the United States. This once-in-generation change to indigent defense is sure to continue our fight for quality representation of Bexar County's indigent accused. Support the show

    Episode 1: Misconceptions and Improprieties with Alana Zarriello

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 12, 2022 16:40


    In this episode, Judge Ron Rangel and Beyond the Gavel's first guest speaker Alana Zarriello, talk about the judicial ethics and guidelines that judges have to follow while covering the misbeliefs of the CJS. Support the show


    The criminal justice system is a topic that holds deep within our hearts. Join Judge Ron Rangel every 2nd and 4th week of the month to grasp the realities of the legal realm along with the CJS. Each episode contains powerful, educational, and informative conversations with people —from lawyers to defendants themselves— who have their own personal experience with the system.Support the show

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