We answer a bold comment from a seasoned police officer who claims he’s never lost a case—and apparently, lawyers fear him at the courthouse doors.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Lawyer Talk! Steve and Troy talk about the realities of dealing with police on the street, especially when it comes to handing over your ID or deciding whether to stand your ground.

You’ll hear Steve talk candidly about why challenging a cop during a traffic stop almost never works out in your favor, and how a little courtesy goes a long way both roadside and in court. And just to clear things up, Troy asks whether lawyers actually beg officers for plea deals—or if that’s just cop talk.

It’s a real, no-nonsense conversation with plenty of personal stories, practical advice, and some good-natured banter between lawyer and student. Let’s get into what happens when you’re face-to-face with experience, authority, and the law itself!

Key Takeaways:

• Comply First, Challenge Later: Steve emphasizes that the side of the road is not the time to debate a police officer’s authority. If given a lawful order, compliance can avoid additional charges. Disputes are best resolved in court, not during the initial encounter.
• Respect and Professionalism Matter: Both highlight that maintaining respect—whether you’re a lawyer, defendant, or officer—can positively influence outcomes. Simple gestures, like providing an ID and staying courteous, often lead to smoother interactions.
• Negotiating Plea Deals Involves Many Parties: Steve clarifies that while prosecutors typically handle plea bargains, police officers can influence case negotiations. Treating everyone involved respectfully can make a crucial difference, especially if an officer’s input is needed for a favorable resolution.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com

If you’ve ever felt weird about being stopped after clearing security, or just want to know what your rights really are at the airport, this episode’s got you covered.

Why can TSA just pull you aside at the airport and dig through your bags, even if you haven’t done anything suspicious? Steve Palmer and Troy Hendrickson are tackling this head-on, starting with a listener’s YouTube question that gets right to the heart of the TSA search dilemma.

Steve breaks down the difference between actual searches that need legal justification and those “consensual encounters” we all sign up for when we choose to fly. The conversation gets into legal stuff like the Fourth Amendment, airport security policies, and an old Supreme Court case (Florida v. Royer) that spelled out where the lines are drawn.

Here are 3 key takeaways from their discussion:

• Consent is Everything: When you purchase a ticket and enter the airport, you’re essentially consenting to the TSA screening process. As Steve explains, you can always choose not to fly, but once you step into the process, searches are part of the deal.
• Not All Searches Are Equal: The courts (notably Florida v. Royer) distinguish between consensual encounters and those that require Fourth Amendment justification. Routine TSA screenings are generally considered consensual, but more targeted detentions (like pulling someone into a room) can cross the line into requiring probable cause.
• Police & TSA Can’t Collaborate for a Pretext: Law enforcement can’t use TSA procedures to skirt constitutional protections. If they use airport security as a cover to target someone they couldn’t otherwise search, that becomes a Fourth Amendment issue.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com

Steve Palmer and Troy Hendrickson jump right into the crazy buzz we’ve seen on TikTok after their chat about police body cam footage. Turns out, the internet had a LOT to say—everything from questioning why cops turn off their cameras, to jokingly (or maybe not so jokingly) suggesting lawyers should have to wear body cams, too.

Steve and Troy read through some of the most interesting and heated comments, talk about the realities of being a cop (and a lawyer), and spill on what body cams really mean for transparency and trust. Plus, challenges, the laughter, and the legal headaches this tech brings.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Transparency Matters: When police turn off body cams mid-investigation, it raises suspicion—even if no wrongdoing occurred. As Steve Palmer notes, "It just doesn't look good" and creates an appearance of impropriety, which can impact public trust and courtroom defense.
• Practical Challenges Exist: Body cam footage is voluminous and costly to store and review. As Steve Palmer shares, legal teams now deal with hours of video and significant storage needs; charging fees for public record requests is becoming standard.
• Not All Recording Is Equal: While some suggested lawyers should wear body cams too, attorney-client privilege means confidential communications can't be recorded like police interactions. Protecting client privacy remains paramount.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com