Black Panther is one of Marvel’s most celebrated movies, but when you look at it through the lens of real-world law, almost every major moment raises serious legal questions. In this episode of Doug Defends, real defense attorney Doug Ridley breaks down the biggest legal problems in Black Panther, including a killing on U.S. soil, the fallout of an illegal cover-up, stolen cultural artifacts, Wakanda’s trial-by-combat succession system, international weapons trafficking, and covert CIA involvement inside a sovereign nation.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley – Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business – Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg – Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

In National Treasure (2004), Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) doesn’t just hunt for hidden treasure… he goes on a full-on felony spree including the most famous crime of all: stealing the Declaration of Independence! So what actually happens to Ben Gates in real life? What charges is he facing? And could anyone ever realistically “get away with it” the way he does in the movie? Today, Doug & Billy break down the crimes, the legal consequences, and why this is one of the most entertaining federal cases ever put on screen.

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of Doug Defends, defense attorney Doug Ridley puts Titanic (1997) on trial and it turns out the romance isn’t the most dramatic thing happening… the crimes are. From empty lifeboats and chaotic evacuation decisions to Cal Hockley’s felony speedrun (framing, attempted murder, firing a gun into a crowd…), we break down what’s legally realistic, what isn’t, and what consequences these characters would face in real life. And because Titanic is based on a real historical tragedy, we also cover the real-world legal fallout including lawsuits and the safety reforms that followed (yes… Titanic literally changed maritime law).

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

Ocean’s Eleven is one of the slickest heist movies ever made… but legally? This plan is a COMPLETE NIGHTMARE. In this episode of Doug Defends, real lawyer Doug Ridley breaks down the crimes in Ocean’s Eleven (2001): from conspiracy and wire fraud to impersonation, explosives, and what kind of prison time the crew would face in real life.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a beloved holiday classic... but legally? It’s an absolute disaster. In this episode of Doug Defends, Doug and Billy break down the shocking legal issues hiding inside the 1964 Rankin/Bass Christmas special: From Rudolph being discriminated against for his nose, to horrific animal cruelty, to an absolutely shocking clear-as-day murder, this “wholesome” holiday special might be one of the most illegal stories we’ve ever covered.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

Die Hard (1988) isn’t just an action classic...it’s a legal minefield. Today, real lawyer Doug Ridley takes a deep dive into John McClane’s chaotic night inside Nakatomi Plaza to answer one question: Is John McClane actually a criminal? Doug unpacks the real-world legal consequences behind cinema’s most iconic Christmas… or not Christmas… movie.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

Is Buddy the Elf actually an international criminal? In this special holiday episode of Doug Defends, real lawyer Doug Ridley breaks down Elf (2003) and analyzes the very real legal problems behind Buddy’s cheerful Christmas chaos. From crossing international borders without identification… to assaulting a mall Santa… to trespassing his way across New York City… Buddy might be far more illegal than anyone wants to admit.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

Defense attorney Doug Ridley and Billy Business break down every crime in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 including kidnapping, illegal experiments, prison breaks, war crimes and more.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

***THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR WICKED: FOR GOOD*** 

We went back into the land of Oz for "Wicked: For Good"… and found even MORE crimes. In this quick follow-up case file, defense Doug and Billy break down some huge legal issues we didn’t get to in our full Wicked episode...including Glinda’s involvement in the Wizard’s fraud, Elphaba’s life-or-death “surgeries,” and whether Nessarose massively overstepped her authority as Governor.

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com

This week on Doug Defends, we break down the entire Hunger Games saga through real-world law... from the Reaping, to the Capitol’s crimes, to THAT final moment with President Coin. We'll dive deep into the laws Katniss breaks, the crimes committed by Snow and Coin, and whether the rebellion itself was ever legal in the first place. From forced labor and human trafficking, to war crimes, psychological torture, and extrajudicial execution, Panem might be the most illegal franchise we’ve covered yet. 

The Doug Defends Team:

Doug Ridley - Host, Defense Attorney at Ridley Defense

Billy Business - Co-Host, Producer, Editor

Linda Weg - Director of Operations

Music by www.purple-planet.com