The Psychology of Criminal Defense | False Confessions, Insanity Defenses & Mental Health in the Courtroom

The Craziest DUI Defense Ever? Plus the Netflix Murder Case Everyone's Talking About

Can a fatal car crash be prosecuted as first-degree murder? In this episode of You're Free to Go, attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurick break down Netflix's viral documentary The Crash and discuss the controversial conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla, examining the legal questions surrounding intent, evidence, and the appeals process. The conversation then shifts to one of the most unbelievable DUI trials Guy has ever handled. From an unusual courtroom defense to an unexpected jury verdict, this real-life case takes twists that sound too outrageous to be true. The hosts also discuss judicial discretion, "robe fever," and memorable courtroom stories that highlight how much influence judges can have over a case. In this episode: * Netflix's The Crash and the Mackenzie Shirilla case * Can a DUI be prosecuted as first-degree murder? * The role of appeals and bench trials * The wildest DUI defense Guy has ever used * How juries evaluate DUI evidence * Judicial discretion and "robe fever" * Real courtroom stories from decades of criminal defense * Why the right defense strategy can change everything If you enjoy true crime, criminal law, courtroom strategy, and behind-the-scenes stories from veteran defense attorneys, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

The Psychology of Criminal Defense | False Confessions, Insanity Defenses & Mental Health in the Courtroom

What happens when mental health and the criminal justice system collide? In this fascinating episode of You're Free to Go, criminal defense attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurik sit down with renowned forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Brannon to explore the complex world of psychology, criminal law, and the human mind. Dr. Brannon shares insights from decades of experience evaluating defendants, testifying as an expert witness, and helping courts understand issues ranging from competency to stand trial to insanity defenses and false confessions. Topics discussed include: * What it means to be competent to stand trial * How courts determine competency and mental fitness * The reality of insanity defenses and why they are so misunderstood * Malingering and detecting when someone may be faking mental illness * False confessions and why innocent people sometimes admit to crimes they didn't commit * The Reid interrogation technique and police questioning * Miranda rights and psychological evaluations * Mental illness, substance abuse, and criminal responsibility * Competency restoration programs and forensic hospitals * High-profile criminal cases, including insights from the Parkland case * The role of forensic psychologists in the justice system Dr. Brannon also shares incredible real-world stories from his career, including defendants claiming to be the Queen of England, the challenges of distinguishing genuine mental illness from deception, and how psychological science is used to uncover the truth in criminal cases. Whether you're interested in criminal law, psychology, forensic science, true crime, or the inner workings of the justice system, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important and misunderstood areas of criminal defense. Subscribe for more conversations about criminal law, real cases, legal strategy, and the issues that impact our justice system every day.

Bond Hearings Explained + The Wildest Revenge Plot We've Ever Seen | You're Free to Go

What happens immediately after someone gets arrested? In this episode of You're Free to Go, criminal defense attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurik break down one of the most important parts of the criminal justice system: bonds, bail, bondsmen, and pretrial release. The attorneys explain how bail bonds work in state and federal court, the differences between cash bonds, surety bonds, property bonds, and signature bonds, and what factors judges consider when deciding whether someone should be released from jail. Then the conversation shifts to some truly unforgettable real-life cases from their careers. Mark shares a shocking story involving a disgruntled ex-lover, explicit photos, and a legal loophole that resulted in what may have been the "perfect crime." Guy follows with a tragic case involving a company holiday party, a fatal train accident, and an investigation that revealed the truth behind what police initially believed was a suicide. Topics include: * How bail bonds and bondsmen work * Federal vs. state court bond hearings * Cash bonds, property bonds, and signature bonds * What happens when a defendant skips court * The risks of office holiday parties and alcohol liability * Revenge, privacy, and criminal investigations * Real-world cases from decades of criminal defense experience If you've ever wondered what happens after an arrest—or want to hear some of the most unbelievable stories from inside the legal system—this episode is for you. Like, subscribe, and follow for more real stories from the courtroom and beyond. #YoureFreeToGo #GuyFronstin #MarkNurick #CriminalDefense #BailBonds #FederalCourt #CriminalLaw #TrueCrime #LegalPodcast #CourtroomStories #AttorneyLife #CrimeStories #JusticeSystem #LawPodcast #DefenseAttorney

The Scary Truth About Cybercrime, Ransomware & Data Breaches

In this eye-opening episode of You're Free to Go, attorneys Guy Fronstin and Marc Nurik sit down with renowned cybersecurity and data privacy attorney Blair Dawson to uncover the growing threats facing businesses, professionals, and everyday individuals in today's digital world. From ransomware attacks and business email compromise scams to SIM swapping, cryptocurrency ransom payments, and the realities of the dark web, Blair breaks down how cybercriminals operate and what you can do to protect yourself before it's too late. The conversation explores real-world cyberattack cases, how organizations respond when hackers demand millions of dollars, why some companies choose to pay ransoms, and the critical security steps every individual and business should take right now. Topics include: * Cybersecurity and data privacy risks * Ransomware attacks explained * Business email compromise scams * The dark web and cybercriminal networks * SIM swap fraud * Cryptocurrency ransom payments * Data breach response strategies * Protecting your business from hackers * Cyber insurance and liability * Identity theft prevention * Elder fraud and online scams * Best practices for personal cybersecurity Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply someone who uses a smartphone and email, this episode provides valuable insights that could help protect your finances, identity, and personal information. #Cybersecurity #DataPrivacy #Ransomware #DarkWeb #CyberCrime #IdentityTheft #DataBreach #OnlineScams #CyberSecurityAwareness #BusinessSecurity #Technology #PrivacyProtection #LawPodcast #YoureFreeToGo #CyberAttack #Hackers #InternetSafety #DigitalSecurity #SIMSwap #CyberLaw

How Scammers Trick Smart People | Phone Scams, Romance Fraud & Crypto Cons Exposed

Think you're too smart to get scammed? Think again. In this episode of You're Free to Go, criminal law experts Guy Fronstin and Marc Nurik step away from their usual crazy case stories to tackle a growing threat that affects everyone: scams and fraud. From sophisticated phone scams and fake bank calls to romance fraud, crypto investment schemes, identity theft, and online extortion, Guy and Marc break down the tactics scammers use to manipulate victims and steal millions of dollars every year. The conversation covers real-life stories involving spoofed phone numbers, hacked email accounts, fake cryptocurrency platforms, romance scams, blackmail attempts, wire fraud, and the psychological tricks criminals use to gain trust. They also discuss what to do if you become a victim and the warning signs everyone should know before it's too late. Whether you're protecting yourself, your family, or your finances, this episode is packed with practical advice that could save you from becoming the next target. Topics include: * Phone spoofing and fake bank fraud alerts * Zelle, Venmo, and payment app scams * Romance scams and online dating fraud * Crypto investment scams and "pig butchering" * Wire fraud and real estate closing scams * Blackmail and extortion schemes * Identity theft and voice-cloning technology * Human trafficking warning signs * What to do if you've been scammed * How law enforcement investigates fraud cases Subscribe to You're Free to Go for real stories, legal insight, and practical information from experienced criminal law attorneys.