Professor Malcolm Bales joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins to discuss his nearly cinematic career.  From law student to FBI agent to federal prosecutor to US Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Professor Bales' story is fitting for a man who was initially inspired to go into law enforcement by an Al Pacino true-crime film.  Grab the popcorn and some Milk Duds and strap in for this feature-length interview -- the Malcolm Bales Story will have you on the edge of your seat!

Defense attorney Patrick Short joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins to discuss his work and his journey.  In this emotional interview, Patrick shares some of the experiences that have not only led him to this point in his career, but more importantly, that have shaped his worldview and outlook on life.  Patrick reminds us that, as law students and lawyers, we have a unique opportunity to use our gifts to bless the lives of others.  Keep honoring the gift!

Fellow Baylor Law student Allison Barber joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins to discuss her work with the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas.  She shares how she qualified for and obtained her prestigious internship and details the kind of work law students can expect to do at a Federal Public Defender's office (spoilers: a LOT of research).  Above all, she emphasizes the importance of finding your "why" and sticking to it.

Kassidy Durfee joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins to discuss her experiences taking every criminal law class offered at Baylor Law School.  She shares practical advice on which classes to take, what to expect from specific classes, and how to prepare to achieve the Criminal Law Special Distinction.  She also demystifies the separate criminal law PC problem and plugs the Bootcamp.  This interview will be especially useful for Baylor Law students in their second and third quarters planning out which electives they will take.

Ryan Calvert, Assistant District Attorney with the Brazos County Appellate Division, joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins to discuss appellate work and voir dire. What does the attorney who literally wrote the book (TDCAA manual) on voir dire have to say about jury selection? Don't talk like a lawyer, don't blame the jury if you lose, and remember: failure is a far better teacher than success will ever be.  

In this special bonus episode, we share the audio from a debate between Clark Neily of the Cato Institute and Professor Richard Alpert on the ethics of plea bargaining.  The debate was co-hosted by the Criminal Law Society and the Federalist Society on November 8, 2021.  

Professor Richard Alpert joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Steve Lowry to discuss his transition from legendary Tarrant County misdemeanor chief and DWI guru to Baylor Law adjunct professor and criminal curriculum czar. Loaded with nuggets of wisdom and practical advice for Baylor Law students and newly-practicing criminal law attorneys alike, this is episode will be worth a repeat listen from time to time.  

"Just be a normal person!" So says career prosecutor and longtime friend of the Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Ekua Assabill on this week's very special episode of the Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast.  Hosts Chris Spendlove and Steve Lowry talk with Ekua about her work in the arena of domestic violence, how to bridge the gap between an intellectual understanding of the law and its practical application, and what it looks like when your passion and principles guide your career decisions.

Baylor Law students Michael Morin and Tristan Crowder join host Chris Spendlove to discuss the Fall 2021 Criminal Law Bootcamp.  They share their experiences signing up for and participating in the Bootcamp, offer tips on how to get the most out of the weekend, and impart some key takeaways.  Final verdict: the Bootcamp is an absolute must for anyone remotely interested in trial work!

On this very special episode of the Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast, we share the audio from our Summer 2021 conversation with Tarrant County ADA Allenna Bangs.  Allenna shares with us how she got started on her career, war stories from the intimate partner violence and gang units, and helpful advice for those who are interested in becoming prosecutors.  She also answers questions from society members about mental health, work/life balance, and the importance of the current conversations surrounding law enforcement and criminal justice. Enjoy!