I’m tackling a question I hear all the time: “How do lawyers get paid—and what actually happens if my case takes an unexpected turn?” This week, I’m breaking down a listener’s real-world concerns about flat rate fees in criminal defense cases. I’ll walk you through how these agreements usually work, what you should look for in a fee contract, and why it’s so important to have clear communication about money from the very start.

I’ll also dig into how retainer fees and hourly billing can play a role, discuss the kinds of additional expenses you might run into, and share some of my own experiences to help make sense of it all. Whether you’re in the process of hiring an attorney or just curious about the financial side of legal work, I’ll explain what you need to know in straightforward, practical terms.

Key Moments

00:00 "Essential Engagement Letter Practices"

05:23 Flat Rate vs. Hourly Fees

08:48 Understanding Lawyer Fees Limitations

10:10 Legal Fee Determinants

Here are 3 key takeaways

• Get It in Writing: Always ensure your fee agreement is crystal clear and in writing. This protects both you and your attorney and eliminates confusion about what the fee covers—especially with flat rates.
• Flat Fees = Predictability, but Also Flexibility: Flat fees offer peace of mind, but circumstances can change. Make sure your agreement mentions what happens if the case is dismissed quickly, or if unexpected complications arise that require more work.
• Ask Questions, Don’t Assume: Steve stressed the importance of open communication. Ask your lawyer exactly what’s included in the fee, how they handle additional expenses, and whether there are extra charges if your case goes further than expected.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Why do some defendants want to withdraw their guilty pleas, and what are the most common reasons?

This comes up all the time in my legal practice: What can you do if you plead guilty and then change your mind?

I’ll be sharing what really happens behind the scenes when someone wants to withdraw their guilty plea, especially if the sentence they get isn’t what they expected. I’ll explain how joint recommendations work here in Ohio, why clear communication between lawyers and clients is absolutely crucial, and what legal hurdles you’re likely to face if you try to take back a guilty plea—whether it’s before or after sentencing.

So if you’re curious about the appeals process, struggling with buyer’s remorse after a plea deal, or just want to understand how the criminal justice system really works, this episode offers real-life stories, hard-earned insights, and practical advice from inside the courtroom.

Key Moments

00:00 Clear Client Communication on Plea Deals

05:02 Plea Withdrawal Challenges in Ohio

07:05 Withdrawing Plea: Start Over Consequences

09:44 Rule 11 Plea Negotiations Overview

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• It’s Much Harder After Sentencing: In Ohio, withdrawing a guilty plea after sentencing requires a very strong reason, like major mistakes during the plea process or bad legal advice. Courts generally don’t like granting these requests.
• Timing Is Everything: Before sentencing, withdrawals should be granted more freely, but courts are increasingly strict. If you’re reconsidering, don’t wait.
• You Might Be Back to Square One: Withdrawing a plea means the original charges (and risks) are back on the table, and prosecutors may not offer the same deal again. Sometimes, things can actually get worse.

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Let's look at a topic that’s been making a lot of headlines lately: the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations, especially with talk around Trump’s immigration policies. Now, don’t worry—I promised to keep things non-political, and I plan to stick to that. Instead, I’m here to walk you through what’s really going on behind the scenes: the legal procedures and how these cases play out in court.

Recently, federal judges in different parts of the country have been coming to completely opposite conclusions about the government’s power to use this act. So, how does that work? What happens when courts disagree this way? I’ll break down the basics of appellate law, explain why we’re probably headed straight for a Supreme Court decision, and talk about what that means for everyone watching this play out.

If you’re curious about how the legal system handles big, controversial cases like this—without all the political noise—you’re in the right place. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through exactly what’s happening and what comes next.

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

I’m digging into a question I get all the time—should you talk to the police if they reach out and want you to come down to the station? I know this one makes a lot of folks nervous, especially if you’re worried that staying quiet might make you look guilty, but you’re also hearing that you should never talk to the police without a lawyer.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real scenario from a listener (names changed, of course!) whose son was asked to speak with officers about an incident involving a girl he met. I’ll break down the reasons why going in to talk to the police—especially if you don’t know exactly what they’re asking about—can be a risky move. I’ll even tell you about a case from my own practice where talking to the cops made things a whole lot harder, even though my client thought he was just clearing things up.

So if you’ve ever wondered what the right move is when the police want to “just ask a few questions,” stick around. I’m here to give you some real talk on what to do—and what not to do—if you’re ever in that situation. Let’s get into it!

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

I want to tackle a hot topic that's getting a lot of attention here in Ohio: police qualified immunity. There's been some buzz lately with talk of amending the Ohio constitution to eliminate qualified immunity, and with moves from the Attorney General and even the Ohio Supreme Court nudging this issue closer to the ballot, the debate is really heating up.

I break down what qualified immunity actually is, why it matters for police officers, government workers, and regular folks like us, and what could happen if it gets scrapped. Trust me, there are strong arguments on both sides, and it’s the kind of issue that could seriously change the legal landscape here in Ohio.

I’m not here to take sides today, but I do want to set the stage for a much bigger conversation. I’m planning to bring in some guests soon—lawyers who work on both sides of this debate—so we can really dig deep and talk about what’s at stake.

So if you’ve got questions or thoughts about qualified immunity, shoot them my way. I’m looking forward to having this discussion, and I hope you stick around for what’s sure to be an interesting ride. Let’s get into it, right here on Lawyer Talk.

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Ever wondered what "en banc review" really means in appellate law? On this episode of Lawyer Talk, I break down this rarely used but powerful legal maneuver in a way that’s both clear and practical.

Here are 3 key takeaways from the conversation:

• En Banc Explained: En banc review refers to a request for the entire appellate court—not just the typical three-judge panel—to re-hear a case. This usually happens when a decision may conflict with other rulings, in-state or statewide.
• When & Why to Request: Lawyers typically seek en banc review when a panel’s decision clashes with other appellate outcomes or when a case has significant legal implications that the whole court should weigh in on.
• Outcomes Can Change: If granted, en banc review can lead to a brand-new decision—sometimes supporting, sometimes overturning, or even fundamentally altering the initial ruling. It’s a strategic last resort when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

If you deal with appeals or just want insight into appellate strategy, this episode is packed with actionable info.

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

I hear this question a lot—have Uber and Lyft actually led to fewer drunk driving cases?

Drawing on my years of experience as a DUI defense attorney, I share how rideshare apps have shifted the landscape of drinking and driving, especially among 21-year-olds today.

I also discuss why, even with the best intentions and easy access to Uber and Lyft, people still find themselves in trouble after a few drinks. I tell some real-life stories from my practice and offer practical advice on how to truly avoid an OVI.

So stick around for an honest look at why good decisions can go bad—and what you can do to stay safe.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Technology Doesn’t Override Human Nature: Alcohol impairs the very part of the brain that helps us make rational decisions. Even the best-laid plans to use Uber can unravel after a few drinks.
• Education Matters Most: Younger people, especially those in college, seem more mindful about not drinking and driving—likely thanks to improved education and awareness campaigns, even more so than rideshare availability alone.
• Beware of “One Last Trip”: Many DUI cases happen after people responsibly get home via Uber, but later decide to drive for food, snacks, or late-night plans—still under the influence.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Sarah in Ohio reaches out to ask about her nephew, who was recently convicted of attempted murder and felonious assault in what they believe was a clear-cut case of self-defense.

After losing their appeal and feeling like the state courts haven’t given them a fair shake, Sarah wants to know: can they skip straight to the United States Supreme Court?

I break down exactly how the appellate process works and why, no matter how urgent or important your case feels, you can’t just jump right to the Supreme Court.

I walk you through the legal ladder—from trial, to the Ohio Court of Appeals, to the Ohio Supreme Court, and only then, potentially, to the highest court in the land. Along the way, I explain what kinds of issues the Supreme Court is actually looking for, and why they usually don’t take up individual error corrections.

If you’ve ever wondered how—and if—a case can make it all the way to Washington, D.C., this episode will clear things up. So tune in for an inside look at the real process of seeking justice through an appeal!

Here are 3 key takeaways

• No Skipping Steps: You can’t bypass intermediate appeals and go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. Every case must follow a specific appellate ladder, starting with a direct appeal, then applying for review by your state’s highest court.
• Supreme Courts Are Selective: Both the Ohio Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court choose which cases they hear, typically focusing on issues with broad constitutional impact—not just error correction in a single case.
• Timing and Process Matter: If your case is denied review at the state’s highest level, you have a limited window (typically 90 days) to petition the U.S. Supreme Court—and even then, getting heard is rare.

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.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

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