The Clinical Gavel -Criminal Law Cases
by Circle Of Insight Productions
Welcome to The Clinical Gavel where a seasoned Forensic Psychology Professor delves into the intricate world of criminal law. Join us as we break down complex legal concepts, explore high-profile cases, and provide insights into the workings of the justice system. Each episode offers expert analysis and engaging discussions to help you understand the laws that govern our society and the psychology behind criminal behavior. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation of criminal law from an insider’s perspective.
Episodes
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The Fake Defendant: When a Lawyer Tricked a Police Officer Into Identifying the Wrong Man
In an Illinois courtroom, a defense attorney secretly placed a substitute at the defense table while his actual client watched from the spectator gallery. When the arresting police officer confidently identified the wrong man, the attorney appeared to have exposed a serious flaw in eyewitness...
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The Burglar Who Won: When Property Rights Collide with the Law
When a burglar triggered a shotgun trap inside an Iowa farmhouse, he suffered devastating injuries and successfully sued the property owners. The landmark case Katko v. Briney established important limits on the use of deadly force to protect property. This episode examines premises liability,...
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Tainted Fruit: Walter White and the Illusion of the Innocent Owner
In the series finale of Breaking Bad, Walter White arranges a complex end-run around the federal government to leave nearly ten million dollars to his surviving family. Behind the dramatic tension of irrevocable trusts and billionaire conduits lies a harsh statutory reality governing illicit…
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Digital Footprints: Can the Police Search Your Phone Without a Warrant?
For decades, police officers had the power to search anything in a suspect’s pockets during an arrest, from crumpled receipts to address books. When smartphones came along, carrying thousands of personal photos, text messages, and internet searches, that old rule threatened to eliminate everyday...
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Can Police Search Your Car After You’ve Been Arrested?
Explore how investigators must navigate search-and-seizure requirements when investigating suspects and vehicles. Examine probable cause, the automobile exception, suppression motions, and how improperly obtained evidence can affect a prosecution.
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When Does a Defense Attorney Become a Criminal Defendant?
A criminal defense attorney is hired to protect a client accused of serious crimes. But what happens when the attorney begins helping the client conceal evidence, move illegal money, or obstruct an investigation? This episode of The Clinical Gavel explores the boundary between zealous legal...
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ADHD on Trial: Can Impulsivity Influence Criminal Responsibility?
When a defendant has ADHD, how should courts distinguish neurological vulnerabilities from deliberate criminal conduct? This episode examines the intersection of clinical diagnosis, forensic evaluation, and legal accountability, focusing on executive dysfunction and impaired behavioral…
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When the Crime Didn’t Have a Name: The Prosecution of Cecil Jacobson
When investigators began uncovering what fertility doctor Cecil Jacobson had done to his patients, prosecutors faced an unusual problem: existing criminal laws did not neatly describe some of the most disturbing conduct. The government ultimately built its case around charges including fraud and...
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Can You Refuse to Answer Police Questions? — Your Right to Remain Silent Explained
You have probably heard the phrase “You have the right to remain silent,” but when does that right actually apply? This episode of Clinical Gavel examines the Fifth Amendment, Miranda warnings, police questioning, and why remaining silent is not always as simple as saying nothing. We also explore...
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Can Police Lie to You During an Interrogation? Where the Law Draws the Line
Can a detective falsely tell a suspect that an accomplice confessed—or claim evidence exists when it doesn’t? American courts have historically permitted some forms of deception during interrogations, but that does not mean investigators can say anything they want. This episode of Clinical Gavel...
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Can Police Lie to You During an Interrogation? Where the Law Draws the Line
Can a detective falsely tell a suspect that an accomplice confessed—or claim evidence exists when it doesn’t? American courts have historically permitted some forms of deception during interrogations, but that does not mean investigators can say anything they want. This episode of Clinical Gavel...
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The North Korea Laptop Farm (US v. Christina Chapman, 2024–2025): Identity Laundering and the Erosion of Digital Borders
Investigate the case of Christina Marie Chapman, who operated a “laptop farm” from her homes in Minnesota and Arizona, enabling North Korean IT operatives to steal U.S. identities, secure remote jobs at over 300 American companies, and generate more than $17 million for the DPRK regime. This...
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The Duty of Candor in the Age of AI: The Greg Lake Suspension
In April 2026, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a landmark indefinite suspension against attorney Greg Lake, marking a shift from mere financial sanctions to career-altering discipline for AI misuse. This episode deconstructs the "Failure of Candor" that led to his downfall. We move past the 57...
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The Right to Refuse Treatment – Riggins v. Nevada (1992)
In this episode, we examine Riggins v. Nevada (1992), a landmark Supreme Court case addressing whether the state can forcibly administer antipsychotic medication to a criminal defendant awaiting trial. The Court ruled that while forced medication is not categorically prohibited, the state must...
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Chemical Intent: The Limits of “Roid Rage” in Criminal Law
A forensic psychology and criminal law podcast analyzing “roid rage,” anabolic steroid effects on the brain, and how courts evaluate mens rea (criminal intent), voluntary intoxication, and legal responsibility in violent crime cases. This episode breaks down the intersection of neuroscience,...
About this show
Welcome to The Clinical Gavel where a seasoned Forensic Psychology Professor delves into the intricate world of criminal law. Join us as we break down complex legal concepts, explore high-profile cases, and provide insights into the workings of the justice system. Each episode offers expert analysis and engaging discussions to help you understand the laws that govern our society and the psychology behind criminal behavior. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation of criminal law from an insider’s perspective.
Hosted by
Circle Of Insight Productions
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