FindLaw's Don't Judge Me

That's a wrap on this show, folks. After three years and well over 100 episodes, Andy, Joe, Laura, and Vaidehi are off to chase their dreams. Laura is excited to have the time to fully pursue spelunking. Andy finally convinced Larry David to do that Seinfeld spinoff he's been pitching for years. Joe is starting his side hustle on Cameo with his good friend Rudy, and Vaidehi joined a secret government project developing telekinesis. Oops, we shouldn't have told you that. In this atypical final episode our hosts yak it up one last time about favorite show moments and compare ourselves to the Beatles. As always, please check out findlaw.com for information on a wide variety of legal topics, current events, and great audio and visual content. And in all sincerity, thank you for listening.  

Joining us to talk about how contractors, lawyers, and insurance companies are becoming increasingly litigious is Cassie Calisti of Premium Group Insurance. This episode Cassie explains why disputes over home repairs after storms, floods, and other damage to homes are increasingly common, and how homeowners can be left out in the aftermath. We also discuss recent laws in Florida that aim to stem the tide of lawsuits over insurance claims.  

Two of the most anticipated Supreme Court cases this term involve student loan forgiveness. This episode our hosts break down the issues in the case, which include standing and the major questions doctrine.  

At some point all of us have been charged a "service" fee when no services were rendered (we're looking at you, Ticketmaster). Or perhaps you've been charged a surprise "resort" fee after staying at a run-of-the-mill hotel. How is this legal? Both state attorneys general and the Biden Administration are looking to curb so-called junk fees. Will it work? Meanwhile, do us regular consumers have any options? We take a look on this episode. 

The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, deservedly captured media attention nationwide. As residents continue to worry about air and water quality, some have already filed lawsuits. This episode our hosts discuss toxic torts, the area of law that deals with this sort of man-made environmental disaster. Class action lawsuits stemming from toxic pollutants are more common than you might think. 

The time between the new year and spring is also known as divorce season. This episode our hosts talk about why couples tend to separate more between January and March. We also give a few examples of what not to do if you find yourself facing a divorce.

Chances are you don't have Mission:Impossible level security clearance. But that doesn't mean you don't have access to information your employer considers confidential. This episode our hosts discuss what can happen to you if you intentionally or accidentally reveal confidential company information, including trade secrets. The potential consequences might be greater than you'd think. We also talk about when you are protected for revealing secrets as a whistleblower.

By now you're almost certainly aware that Alec Baldwin is facing criminal charges relating to the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. You can find details of the charges and penalties just about anywhere on the internet. But missed in much of this is the old but often ignored advice regarding how to act during a police investigation - even if it isn't immediately apparent you are in danger of being charged with a crime. 

Are robot lawyers really just around the corner? If you go by internet chatter surrounding ChatGPT and other AI chatbots, it would seem so. But it's not that easy for lawyers to be replaced. This episode our hosts discuss the problems with AI-assisted legal advice and what brave new world the legal industry is headed toward.

Is your idea for a new true crime podcast about to be the next big thing? Before you get too excited, remember a few rules about what you can say about your suspect(s). Otherwise, you could risk being sued for defamation, as self-described psychic Ashley Guillard found out when creating Tik Tok videos regarding her beliefs about the horrific murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.

What do Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, and Winnie the Pooh have in common? They've all entered the public domain (at least to some extent). The original Mickey Mouse will join them next year. But that's not the end of the story, public domain and copyright law can be complex. Our hosts walk you through the basics of public domain law and how the soon-to-be released slasher film Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey depicts the once gentle and lovable bear. Why isn't Disney doing anything about it?

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not because of well-deserved time off and holidays spent with family – because now it's time for the hosts of Don't Judge Me to discuss their favorite professional bungles committed by lawyers this year. So even if you're stressed about hosting a holiday dinner or buying gifts, at least you're not one of these folks. Happy New Year!

Who do you root for in a legal fight between an overeager homeowner with 200,000 Christmas lights and a homeowner's association? Can you be fired for refusing to go to a company holiday party? And just how many laws does Santa Claus break every year? Join our hosts for a merry discussion of Christmas and holiday-related legal issues. Happy holidays and have a great new year!

You know what's a good idea? Not running onto the field when you attend a football game. This sidebar episode our hosts discuss Alex Taylor, the animal rights protestor and trespasser who ran onto the field during the 49er-Rams game with a device trailing pink smoke. He evaded security only to be laid out by all-pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. Taylor filed a lawsuit hours later, alleging assault. We discuss the penalties for trespassing at a football game (or any other sports event), the rules regarding assault, and what Bobby Wagner's lawyer may have told him in the wake of the news.   

What is the deal with airlines?? It seems like canceled flights have gotten more and more frequent in recent years. And is it just us, or are airplane seats getting smaller? This episode, our hosts discuss what airlines can and can't do - and when travelers might be entitled to compensation.

Cheaters never win, goes the saying. But some cheaters lose really, really badly. Like the competetive fishermen who were caught stuffing fish with weights and fillets to win a $30,000 prize in a walleye tournament. Other times, just being accused of cheating can be equally devastating, as American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann found out when a joke about an allegedly suspcious win went viral.  Cheating is wrong, sure. But is it ever illegal? Can you sue over cheating or being accused of cheating? Our hosts discuss on this sidebar episode.   

The Biden Administration's recent executive order pardoning those convicted of federal marijuana possession made big news. But what does this mean for their criminal records? Our hosts discuss the history of presidential pardons, what they do and don't do, and how expungement fills in the gaps.

America has a long legal history with voting rights. This episode we discuss some of the notable state and federal voting laws that have been passed, repealed, amended, and declared unconstitutional. Our hosts also touch on time, manner, and place restrictions, as well as past and current attempts at limiting or expanding who has the right to vote.  For information on voting laws in your state, please visit findlaw.com/voting for a comprehensive look at the laws and rights in your state. 

Sorry, anglers, not that kind of catfish. This episode we tackle the topic of online catfishing, the practice of duping single people into thinking they are forming a relationship with a non-existent person. It's certainly immoral, but depending on the behavior involved it can also be illegal or lead to lawsuits. Learn all about catfishing and how to spot it so you don't fall victim to catfishing or romance scams, as over 21,000 people did in 2021. For more information, check out these resources from FindLaw.com: Can I Sue Someone for Catfishing Me? Is Sexting Illegal for Teens? What Is Catfishing?

Can you sue if you're injured at a haunted house attraction? Is it legal to consume human flesh? Do you have to tell a potential home buyer that your house is haunted? The answers might surprise you. Our hosts delve into these hair-raising legal issues and more on Don't Judge Me's first-ever Halloween episode! Listen, if you dare...

We're back to discuss more head-scratching personal injury lawsuits this week! First, a man successfully sues his parents for throwing out his extensive collection of "adult" films. Then, we discuss a prank gone wrong where the legal result would likely make Kevin McCallister and Dennis the Menace a little nervous. But it's not all pesky kids and porn stashes; we've got some legal insight too. 

Join us for a fun discussion of some of the most notable, lambasted, and misunderstood personal injury lawsuits in American history. There will be coffee, beer, and sandwiches (talked about, of course, this is a podcast. But we'd treat you if we could). 

To what extent does the First Amendment protect obscenity (i.e. pornography). What is pornography and what is artistic expression? Learn all about this titillating subject on this episode of DJM.  

DJM is going back to school this week as we discuss the movement around increasing parental involvement in public schools. Can lawmakers ban books? Can parents dictate curriculum choices? And how does the First Amendment fit into all of this? We don't have a magic school bus, but we do have an interesting discussion of new legislation and previous Supreme Court cases related to education.

If you're a home gardener or live in an area where there's a lot of farming going on, you've probably heard of Roundup. In this Sidebar, Joe and Vaidehi discuss the ongoing lawsuits based on Roundup weed killer's potentially harmful side effects and why its maker, Monsanto, has a 50/50 record in these disputes so far. 

Does pleading the Fifth make you look guilty? Should you plead the Fifth even if you're innocent? This week our hosts discuss the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination, also known as "pleading the Fifth." Come for information about constitutional rights, stay for Joe's impression of a certain interior decorator who probably should have refused to answer questions from the FBI. For more information, check out Joe's blog post about pleading the Fifth. 

In 2021, we covered the stranger-than-fiction case of Alex Murdaugh, the attorney from a prominent family who was charged with planning his own murder for the insurance money.  Now, he's charged with murdering his wife and son. Our hosts discuss the circumstances and allegations against Murdaugh, who if charged and convicted of these and other allegations is approaching serial killer territory. 

Join us in the Wayback Machine to talk about the ever-timely issue of the separation of church and state. This episode we discuss the Enlightenment, the Wars of Religion, and what was going on in the minds of Thomas Jefferson & Co. when the Founders drafted the Bill of Rights. And because we don't want to be so serious all the time, we also talk about Rhode Island's troublemaking youth and invite you to play a drinking game. 

WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February after airport authorities found a marijuana vape cartridge in her luggage. The Biden administration is working on a prisoner exchange to bring her home, but what happens if you're arrested abroad and not quite as well-connected?  This episode, our hosts discuss Griner's case, extradition, and international criminal law. 

Doing anything to protect your children is understandable. But when "anything" involves attempted murder, don't be surprised when you face consequences. This sidebar episode our hosts discuss the criminal and civil cases involving Cain Velasquez, the WWE wrestler and two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, who is now suing his child's alleged molester from behind bars. 

We're back to wrap up the end of the U.S. Supreme Court's frantic 2021-2022 term. With no shortage of impactful decisions to choose from, this time we cover West Virginia v. EPA (taking power away from federal agencies), Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta (how state governments handle criminal matters with tribal authorities), and two First Amendment cases that emphasize the free exercise of religion (Carson v. Maikin and Kennedy v. Bremerton School District).    Read more on FindLaw: A Touchdown for Religious Expression SCOTUS Again Extends Religious Expression Supreme Court Gives States Expanded Power Over Native Tribes SCOTUS Limits EPA Emission Control Powers  

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2021-2022 session wrapped up in June. And while the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade arguably grabbed the most headlines, there were quite a few groundbreaking opinions from the court this term. In this episode, our hosts discuss Vega v. Tekoh (limiting Miranda rights), Biden v. Texas (ending "Remain in Mexico"), and New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (expanding Second Amendment rights).  Learn more about these topics on FindLaw: Miranda v. Arizona Case Summary Despite SCOTUS Ruling, New York Aims to Restrict Gun Carrying Supreme Court Allows Biden Administration to End "Remain in Mexico" 

Truth is stranger than fiction, which is why Netflix's "Our Father" documentary left the DJM hosts shaking their heads. This sidebar episode our hosts tackle the legal issues involved in artificial insemination and the inexplicable actions of Donald Kline, a fertility doctor from Indianapolis who . . . well, listen to the episode. A short description doesn't do it justice.  For more on paternity law, visit https://www.findlaw.com/family/paternity/

From legal wrangling in states over gender-affirming care to several Biden Administration executive orders, there's a lot to discuss regarding LGTBQ+ laws. And is Bostock v. Clayton County safe in light of recent Supreme Court decisions? This episode our hosts walk through a few things to note. For more comprehensive coverage, check out FindLaw's new section devoted to LGBTQ+ rights and legal issues: www.findlaw.com/lgbtq-law.html Happy Pride Month!

No, it is not. But in a recent indictment against Jeffery Lamar Williams, a.k.a. Young Thug, Fulton County prosecutors submitted lyrics as evidence indicating Williams' involvement in a criminal organization. He is being prosecuted under RICO. Is Young Thug the head of an Atlanta street gang? We have no idea. But Laura has a thing or two to say about using rap lyrics as evidence of criminal intent. 

Come for the celebrity gossip, stay for the interesting legal aspects of the defamation case heard ‘round the world. Our hosts discuss the elements of defamation, the actual malice standard, and why the Heard vs. Depp trial got so messy and salacious.

We're back with Part 2 of our discussion of the Dobbs leaked draft opinion. Check out Part 1 for a full discussion of Roe v. Wade and a history of abortion jurisprudence. This week, we're discussing other "privacy" cases that could be impacted by the Dobbs decision, a list that includes birth control, private sexual acts, same-sex and interracial marriage, and others. 

Justice Alito's leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health made worldwide news. In response, we're revisting the history of abortion jurisprudence in the U.S. Join us to get a fuller understanding of Roe v. Wade, how courts have historically viewed the constitutional right to privacy in regard to pregnancy and abortion, and Justice Alito's arguments in the draft opinion. For more in-depth analysis of abortion law, check out the following FindLaw articles: Roe v. Wade Case Summary: What You Need to Know Explaining Alito's Leaked Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade Could Roe v. Wade Be Overturned?  

Walt Disney World is truly a special place. Not just because of Mickey, but also because the Reedy Creek Improvement District upon which Disney World rests is a one-of-a-kind special district under Florida law. Disney is responsible for almost all of the public services in the district, including trash disposal and issuing property taxes (which it pays to itself). At least, that's how it was until now. The special district status is in jeopardy after Florida legislators took umbrage at Disney's public opposition to Florida's HB 1557, commonly known as the “Don't Say Gay” bill. Will Disney World lose its Vatican-like status? What happens if it does? Are there First Amendment issues to consider? We discuss on this sidebar episode.

We're back in the First Amendment saddle this week to talk about recent cases dealing with content-based (and on the flip side, content-neutral) restrictions on speech. Plus, we discuss a case where a high school football coach's post-game prayer became a big problem. If you can't get enough of this topic, check out these articles from FindLaw's Supreme Court Insights: Schenck v. United States: Case Summary Brandenburg v. Ohio: Permissible Restrictions on Violent Speech Student First Amendment Rights The Separation of Church and State: Everson v. Board of Education

We're back talking about Amazon, this time in regard to the recent dismissal of a proposed class action involving three Amazon warehouse applicants who had their job offers revoked upon testing positive for cannabis.  As more states and municipalities loosen restrictions on cannabis use, how will employers react? We discuss on this sidebar episode. 

We love our jobs hosting DJM, but the pandemic has exposed many issues faced by workers across various industries. In this episode, we're talking about the history and law behind unions, efforts to unionize at Amazon, and what happens when workers go on strike.  Visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law to learn more about right-to-work laws.

Former Representative Jeff Fortenberry found himself in hot water after "trying to help" the FBI get to the bottom of a campaign finance scheme...that he was involved in. In this Sidebar, we talk about great hair, the importance of having a lawyer present when talking to law enforcement, and just a sprinkling of political corruption. Visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law to learn more about your constitutional right to an attorney. 

Legal developments continue for those involved in the events of January 6, 2021. This episode our hosts discuss the trial and conviction of Jan. 6 rioter Guy Reffitt, whether the Supreme Court will face increased pressure to create ethics rules in the wake of Ginni Thomas' texts to Mark Meadows, and explain the significance of a federal judge's decision that former President Trump "more likely than not" committed federal crimes in his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

President Biden has been discussing the 9th Amendment, but what exactly is it? In Part 2 of our series on the 9th Amendment, constitutional law scholar and Professor Brian C. Kalt discusses how Congress—not the courts—can use unenumerated rights. If you missed Part 1, you can listen to an intro on the 9th Amendment. Visit our sponsor at www.turnsignl.com

What is the 9th Amendment? Why does President Biden keep referencing it? How should courts interpret this often-overlooked part of the Bill of Rights? Joining us to answer these questions is Randy E. Barnett, the Patrick Hotung Professor of Constitutional Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a leading scholar on the Ninth Amendment.  For more insight from Professor Barnett, check out his latest book, The Original Meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment: Its Letter and Spirit. Learn more about our sponsor at www.turnsgnl.com. 

SCOTUS has taken up an interesting case involving the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law that gives priority to tribes when adopting Native American children. Non-native foster and adoptive parents have sued for various violations including Equal Protection. We give you the run-down on this sidebar episode.

The U.S. Constitution, federal law, and state laws all protect the civil rights of Americans. Violations can be both criminal and civil in nature. This episode our hosts discuss how you can enforce your civil rights against both state and private actors. We discuss this in the context of recent developments in the cases against the defendants involved in the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. 

This sidebar episode we break down Brian Flores' class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the NFL. Is the NFL following the spirit - or even the substance - of the Rooney Rule, the widely-mimicked NFL policy requiring teams to interview candidates of color for open head coaching positions?  Read more on FindLaw: Can Brian Flores Win His Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against the NFL? Class Action Complaint Against NFL Teams Seeks To Reduce Bias In Hiring and Firing Decisions

Some companies may now store your fingerprints (to unlock your phone) vocal cadence (to speak with your smart device in your home) and pictures of you and your loved ones.  But keeping this data comes with high risk. This episode our hosts discuss biometric privacy laws and Texas' new lawsuit seeking billions in penalties against Facebook over its facial recognition program. 

This episode we look at the tax consequences of selling crypto, which can get very complicated very quickly. We also briefly discuss proposed regulations coming soon and why money laundering is a bad idea.