Whether you’re studying law or just curious about how these cases unfold, I’ll help you understand the real steps, strategy, and legal framework that govern state and federal lawsuits.

Welcome back to Lawyer Talk! I’m Steve Palmer, and in this episode, Troy and I look into a great listener question:

According to the Constitution, if a state is a party in a case, does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

I walk through how Article III of the Constitution lays out the Supreme Court’s authority—especially when two states are involved in a dispute, like boundary issues or environmental matters.

But most cases where a state is suing the federal government, especially those we saw during COVID, actually start in lower federal courts. Troy jumps in with insights about venue selection and how lawyers can “forum shop” for a friendly judge.

We break down the process that gets a case from your local Ohio court all the way up to the US Supreme Court, highlighting the difference between preliminary injunctions and final decisions on the merits. I clarify why the Supreme Court isn’t there to fix mistakes, but to interpret and shape constitutional law.

Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:

• Original jurisdiction is limited: The Supreme Court only has original jurisdiction in very specific cases, such as disputes between two or more states, not just when any state is involved.
• Most cases climb a long ladder: State litigation usually starts in the lowest courts and works its way up. Even after reaching the state’s highest court (like the Ohio Supreme Court), cases might move to the U.S. Supreme Court under strict requirements, especially needing a substantial constitutional issue.
• Habeas corpus offers another path, but it’s rare: After state appeals are exhausted, federal habeas corpus proceedings can be used—starting in district court, up to the circuit court, and possibly, the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court rarely takes these cases.

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 2026 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

If you’ve ever wondered what happens if you fail a polygraph, whether it can ever help your case, or why a test you take privately doesn’t have to be shared with the government, you’re in the right place.

I’m Steve Palmer, and in this episode, I’m joined by Troy as we talk about the world of polygraphs, or as most people call them, lie detector tests.

With all the legal myths and pop-culture legends swirling around, we wanted to cut through the confusion and talk candidly about how polygraphs are actually used in the legal system, why they’re usually not admissible in court, and how they can still play a significant role behind the scenes—whether we’re talking about the investigative phase, plea negotiations, or proffers.

We’ll swap stories from high-profile cases, unpack what really happens during a polygraph exam, and have some fun busting a few of the old wives’ tales that tend to come up—like whether squeezing your sphincter can actually help you pass a test (spoiler alert: probably not). I’ll also explain my own philosophy on when it makes sense to use polygraphs as a defense tool, and when it’s better to steer clear.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Polygraphs are mostly inadmissible in court: Despite their pop culture appeal, polygraph results typically can’t be presented as evidence during trial. However, they do play a role during investigations and negotiations.
• Strategic tool for defense (with big caveats): Defense attorneys may use polygraphs to sway prosecutors, influence sentencing decisions, or avoid charges altogether, but the risks are significant—especially if a “stipulated polygraph” is involved.
• Importance of question clarity and an experienced examiner: Success or failure hinges on how questions are phrased and who administers the test. Ambiguity in questions often leads to unreliable results.

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 2026 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

So whether you’re concerned about wrongful convictions, fascinated by courtroom strategy, or just curious about how the law really works, join Troy and me for an honest, practical look at how much “say so” is really enough to change a person’s life.

Welcome back to Lawyer Talk. I’m Steve Palmer, and in this episode, I’m joined by Troy to dig into a question that comes up all the time, both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion:

Can someone really be convicted on another person's word alone?

We kick things off by exploring real-world scenarios where convictions happen with nothing more than a single person’s say-so—cases I’ve defended, like child sex abuse allegations, where there’s no physical evidence or eyewitnesses, just the testimony of an alleged victim.

We don’t shy away from controversy; instead, we get right to the heart of why this happens, how common it is, and what it means for those accused.

On the flip side, I break down the “corpus delicti” rule—why your own confession can’t always put you behind bars unless there’s at least a shred of independent evidence that a crime actually occurred. We talk about what counts as enough supporting proof, and why these legal rules exist in the first place.

For those thinking about going to law school, I get into the nuts and bolts of what you really need to do to prep—like learning Latin, reading the news, and, above all, building up your reading stamina for the mountain of case law ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• Convictions on Accusation Alone: It’s more common than you think for convictions to rely solely on an accuser’s testimony, especially in child abuse cases where physical evidence is lacking. Society’s standards often shift depending on the nature of the allegations.
• The Corpus Delicti Rule: In Ohio and many jurisdictions, a defendant’s confession alone is not enough for prosecution. There must be independent evidence that a crime actually occurred, though the amount of evidence needed is surprisingly minimal.
• Prepping Future Lawyers: Understanding legal Latin and developing strong reading habits are foundational for aspiring attorneys. Legal study is as much about language and context as it is about facts.

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 2026 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