"And first and foremost, we look for objections. So if the trial lawyer, if the defense lawyer says, object, this evidence shouldn't come in, or object, I want this evidence to come in and you're not letting me do it." - Steve Palmer

I’m pulling back the curtain on how I approach analyzing trial transcripts during the criminal appeals process.

I’ll walk you through my method for preparing an appeal—from my first pass through those massive transcripts, to zeroing in on key objections, carefully reviewing the jury instructions, and finding the connective threads that could make or break a case.

I’ll share why I always read the closing arguments first, what I’m really searching for as I flag important moments, and how all these details come together when building strong assignments of error.

Whether you’re a fellow legal professional or just curious about what happens behind the scenes of an appeal, I think you’ll find this episode packed with insights.

And as always, if you have questions about the appellate process or want me to cover a specific topic, reach out at LawyerTalkPodcast.com.

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• Start with the End in Mind: Glenn always jumps to the closing arguments first. This helps him identify what both sides thought was most important, setting the stage for a focused, thorough read-through.
• Look Beyond the Obvious: Spotting objections is important, but so is reading between the lines. Sometimes, critical appellate issues crop up in jury instructions or voir dire, places many skip over.
• Find the Thread: Building a strong appeal is about connecting dots—assignments of error, evidentiary mistakes, and even courtroom themes need to be woven into a compelling narrative that judges can follow.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

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.

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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