So You Got Arrested

The Texas justice system can feel like a maze, especially during high-activity times like Fiesta in San Antonio. In this episode of So You Got Arrested, the attorneys at BRCK Criminal Defense sit down with Sal Martinez—a former DPS trooper, DEA agent, and bestselling author of Narc—who now operates as a bail bondsman.

We break down the financial and legal realities of getting a loved one out of jail. Sal explains the difference between a surety bond and a cash bond, why the first 24–48 hours are critical, and what happens if you miss a court date. Whether you are dealing with a $5,000 misdemeanor or a $200,000 felony, this episode provides the "real talk" you need to navigate the bonding process and protect your rights.

Fiesta is finally here in San Antonio! While everyone is looking forward to Oyster Bake, live music, and gorditas, the festive season also brings a massive spike in law enforcement activity. In this episode, host Rudy Campos Jr. and the team at BRCK Criminal Defense sit down with Sal Martinez—former DPS trooper, DEA agent, and current bail bondsman—to pull back the curtain on how to navigate the Texas justice system during a holiday weekend.

We dive deep into the "unwritten rules" of police task forces, why officers have a quota-like pressure to make arrests during Fiesta, and the real-world statistics of DWI stops in San Antonio over the last five years.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Two Beer" Myth: Why a single drink might put you closer to the .08 limit than you think.
• Police Perspectives: What a DPS trooper actually looks for when deciding to pull you over.
• The Vape Pen Trap: Why that over-the-counter THC or CBD pen could land you a felony charge and a $30,000 bond.
• Street Smarts: How to properly interact with officers during a traffic stop to ensure everyone's safety and potentially avoid a ticket.
• The Reality of Self-Defense: Why "he started it" won't keep you from taking "the ride" to jail after a Fiesta fight.

Whether you're headed to the parades or the concerts, don't let a bad choice turn into a long-term legal battle.

The Texas justice system is notoriously messy, especially when it involves a DWI. In this episode of So You Got Arrested, attorneys Jacob Lindberg and James Heath from BRCK Defense pull back the curtain on the immediate and long-term consequences of a driving while intoxicated arrest in San Antonio and throughout Texas.

From the moment you’re asked for a specimen to the complexities of keeping your job while your license is suspended, Jacob and James break down the "junk science" of field sobriety tests, the reality of "No Refusal" blood warrants, and the strategic moves that can protect your future.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The Double Suspension: Understanding the difference between a post-arrest license suspension and a post-conviction suspension.
• Breath vs. Blood: What happens when you refuse a breathalyzer and how "blood warrants" work in rural vs. urban jurisdictions.
• The 14-Day Deadline: Why the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is your only chance to contest a suspension.
• Occupational Driver’s Licenses (ODL): How to keep driving to work and school even while suspended.
• The "Super Fine": The hidden costs of a final conviction that can reach up to $6,000.
• The Three-Strike Rule: How Texas law enhances DWIs from misdemeanors to serious third-strike felonies.

Whether you're currently facing charges or just want to understand your rights under Texas law, this episode provides the "real talk" you need to navigate a difficult situation.

In this episode of So You Got Arrested, host Jacob Lindberg welcomes Zack Dunn, a candidate for the Texas House of Representatives and a dedicated prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit. Zack reflects on his upbringing in a military family and how those "every two years" moves built the conscientiousness required to lead. From his time as UTSA Student Body President to the halls of Penn Law and the fast-paced world of New York City corporate law, Zack explains why he chose to return home to San Antonio to fight for the city's most vulnerable.

Inside the Episode

• The "Third Culture" Kid: How growing up on military bases shaped Zack’s ability to communicate and connect with diverse groups.
• Mentors of San Antonio: The lessons learned while working for Joaquin Castro, Ron Nirenberg, and Nelson Wolf.
• Why the SVU Matters: A deep dive into why Zack chose the Special Victims Unit and how prosecuting domestic violence cases serves as a foundation for his legislative goals.
• The 121st District: Zack’s vision for pragmatic, non-partisan leadership that prioritizes public education, veterans, and community safety.

zackdunn.com

Human trafficking is one of the most misunderstood crimes in the Texas justice system. In this episode of So You Got Arrested, hosts and BRCK Defense attorneys Jacob Lindberg and Steve Barrera sit down with Kirsten Melton, a leading authority on human trafficking, to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding this pervasive issue.

From the quiet suburbs of San Antonio to rural Frio County, trafficking is happening in plain sight—often without a single border being crossed. Kirsten shares the chilling reality of how traffickers exploit core vulnerabilities like poverty, addiction, and lack of legal status to exert control through force, fraud, and coercion.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Definition: Why trafficking is about exploitation for profit, not necessarily travel or movement.
• Labor vs. Sex Trafficking: Real-world examples of labor exploitation in industries you wouldn’t expect, including education and food processing.
• The "Vulnerability" Model: How traffickers use "faux families" and emotional coercion to trap victims.
• Texas Law & Penalties: The shift toward "prison-only" offenses and the severity of continuous trafficking charges.
• How to Help: Identifying "red flags" and the critical role of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Whether you are seeking to understand your rights or want to know how to spot the signs in your own community, this conversation provides a raw, expert look at the front lines of the fight against exploitation.

What happens when one of Texas' most formidable prosecutors decides to run for District Attorney? In this episode of So You Got Arrested, hosts Steve Barrera and Jacob Lindberg sit down with Kirsta Melton, a 25-year veteran prosecutor who has spent her career tackling the heaviest cases in the system—from child abuse to statewide human trafficking syndicates.

Kirsta shares her journey from a Cornell undergrad who nearly became a marine biologist to leading the Human Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime section at the Texas Attorney General’s Office. We dive deep into:

• The " prosecutor's burden": How she manages the emotional weight of handling capital murder and human trafficking cases.
• A "Law Student's Luck": The story of her first trial as a student at UT Law, where she actually defended an assault case—and won.
• Founding the Fight: Her family's role in founding Truckers Against Trafficking and how she built specialized units in Bexar County and the AG's office.
• The Backpage Takedown: A look behind the scenes of one of the largest multi-state investigations in history.
• The Run for DA: Why Kirsta is running as an independent candidate for Hays County District Attorney on a platform of transparency, data-driven justice, and integrity.

Whether you are a legal professional or just someone trying to navigate the "black box" of the Texas justice system, this episode offers a rare look at the law from someone who has seen it from every angle.

Learn more about Kirsta Melton’s campaign: kirstamelton.com

Need legal defense? Visit BRCK Criminal Defense: brckdefense.com

The phrase "keep my record clean" is the #1 goal for almost everyone entering the justice system, but what does that actually mean in Texas? In this episode of So You Got Arrested, Jacob Lindberg and Steve Barrera of BRCK Criminal Defense pull back the curtain on the confusing world of criminal records, arrests, and the long-term consequences of "deals" that sound better than they are.

Key Topics Covered:

• The "Permanent" Nature of an Arrest: Discover why a dismissed case doesn't automatically disappear. Jacob explains how an arrest creates a "global" record shared with the FBI and Texas DPS the moment you are booked—and why it stays there forever unless you take legal action.
• The Truth About Deferred Adjudication: Many people believe deferred adjudication is a "total dismissal." The team breaks down why this is often a misconception, how it can still show up on background checks, and why it's a permanent bar for certain career paths and government base access.
• Sealing vs. Clearing (Non-Disclosure vs. Expunction):
  • Non-Disclosure: Learn about "sealing" a record from the public, why it has a five-year waiting period for felonies, and why government agencies (like nursing boards or the bar) can still see right through it.
  • Expunction: The "Gold Standard" of record clearing. Find out who is truly eligible, the "black and white" rules of the process, and how an acquittal at trial can lead to a free expunction.
• The "Trap" of Family Violence Findings: Why accepting a plea for family violence—even with deferred adjudication—can permanently strip you of your gun rights and prevent you from ever sealing your record.
• Common Myths: Steve and Jacob debunk the "10-year rule" (records do not just fall off over time) and discuss the potential future of marijuana record reform in Texas.

Need to Clear Your Name?

If you have an old arrest holding you back or are currently facing charges in San Antonio or the surrounding areas, don't leave your future to chance.

In this episode of So You Got Arrested, host Steve Barrera of BRCK Defense sits down with Veronica Legarreta, candidate for Bexar County District Attorney. Veronica shares her unique path to the legal field—from her secret life as an acting major and improv comic to her roles as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and city magistrate.

They explore the "human aspect" of criminal law and discuss how her diverse experiences have shaped her platform. Key discussion points include:

• The "Pivoting" Skill: How improv prepared her for the unpredictable nature of jury trials.
• Smart Justice: A proposal for a six-hour mental health hold to prevent unnecessary criminal records for those in crisis.
• Prosecutorial Reform: Addressing the attorney shortage through flexible part-time programs and improved training with law enforcement.
• System Integrity: Why she believes justice in Bexar County requires a balanced approach between the DA’s office and the defense.

For those navigating the Texas justice system or following the local San Antonio primary, this episode provides an in-depth look at a candidate who has seen the law from every side of the bench.

Learn more at: voteveronica.com

Meli Carrión Powers, a career prosecutor with nearly 25 years of experience. As the current Chief of the Family Violence Division—the largest division in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office—Meli provides an unfiltered look at the high-stakes world of prosecuting violent crimes, child abuse, and human trafficking. The conversation dives deep into the operational challenges of the justice system, from eliminating massive case backlogs to navigating the "Great Resignation" within the legal field. Meli also discusses her vision for the future as she runs for Bexar County District Attorney, emphasizing the need for data-driven efficiency, better victim communication, and expanding mental health diversions to address root causes of crime. 

Meli Carrión Powers,  a candidate for Bexar County District Attorney, to discuss her journey from a small-town "Sandcrab" in Port Lavaca to the front lines of the criminal trial division.

Whether you're facing charges or simply want to understand your rights, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-curtain look at how the District Attorney's office actually functions. Meli shares her transition from a law student intern under Susan Reed to a seasoned prosecutor specializing in the complex world of family violence.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Evolution of Evidence: From the "olden times" of VHS tapes and rotary dials to the modern era of body cams, dash cams, and mandatory blood warrants.
• The Prosecutor’s Hierarchy: Breaking down the roles of "third chair," "second chair," and "first chair" attorneys in the courtroom.
• The Intake Process: How cases are vetted, filed, and presented to a grand jury after an arrest.
• The Complexity of Family Violence: A deep dive into why these cases are unique, involving intact family units, reluctant witnesses, and the high stakes of "affirmative findings."
• Rehabilitation vs. Incarceration: Why addressing root causes like mental health and substance abuse is often more effective for community safety than short-term jail sentences.
• The Crawford Rule: Understanding your constitutional right to confront your accuser and how it impacts the admissibility of evidence when a victim won't testify.

Join us for part one of this insightful conversation as we explore the "smart moves" that can change everything in the Texas justice system.