Ask a Lawyer with Steve Sleeper

Steve Sleeper

Ask a Lawyer‘s value for attorneys is the authority signals it sends to Google and it’s good PR. Many attorneys have embedded the episode in their bio, which carries more authority with potential clients and search engines. Google also likes seeing your name on the multiple podcast platforms we’re on. Sharing it on Facebook and your Google Business Profile garners engagement and listens, which are great Google signals. Some attorneys sent out press releases about their guest appearance on a national podcast, which creates more online authority and quality backlinks.

  1. Aug 31

    DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer Joshua Ortega with Ortega Law in Pasadena MD

    Maryland criminal defense attorney Joshua Ortega joins Steve Sleeper to discuss what happens after a DUI or DWI arrest and the decisions drivers may need to make quickly. Ortega, who is in his 14th year of practice, handles criminal defense cases throughout Maryland. In the interview, Ortega explains that a DUI case can involve two separate problems: the criminal charge and the driver's license consequences. He discusses Maryland's MVA hearing process, temporary licenses, license suspensions, and the ignition interlock program. Topics Discussed What to do immediately after a Maryland DUI arrest DUI vs. DWI in Maryland Maryland's .08 BAC threshold Driver's license suspension and MVA hearings The ignition interlock program Whether you can refuse roadside field sobriety tests Consequences of refusing an Intoxilyzer breath test Drug-related DUI cases and Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) How police observations can be challenged Why body-camera footage can be important evidence Whether DUI charges can be reduced or dismissed Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) Why having an attorney can matter even on a first DUI Plea agreements versus taking a DUI case to trial Second, third and subsequent DUI offenses How long a Maryland DUI case may take What happens after a DUI arrest Initial appearances, bail and pretrial release One particularly interesting part of the conversation is Ortega's discussion of body-worn camera footage. He explains how video can sometimes contradict an officer's written observations about slurred speech, balance, coordination or other alleged signs of impairment. Ortega also discusses why some cases go to trial, including situations where there may be weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence or necessary witnesses fail to appear. About Joshua Ortega Joshua Ortega is a Maryland criminal defense attorney with Ortega Law in Pasadena, Maryland. He practices throughout the state, with a particular focus on Anne Arundel County. Phone: 410-760-6008 Website: ortegalaw.net

    DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer Joshua Ortega with Ortega Law in Pasadena MD
  2. Apr 25

    Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney Sarah Schielke in Loveland CO

    🎙️ Episode Summary Steve Sleeper speaks with attorney Sarah Schelke, a DUI defense and civil rights lawyer, about how DUI enforcement in Colorado often intersects with constitutional rights—and where it can go wrong. ________________________________________ ⚖️ Key Themes ● DUI & Civil Rights Overlap: Schelke explains how DUI cases frequently involve potential violations of the Fourth Amendment, particularly around unreasonable searches and arrests without probable cause. ● Policing Concerns: She highlights a troubling trend of DUI enforcement being driven by incentives—what she describes as “monetized” or “gamified” policing. ● Questionable Testing Methods: Field sobriety tests are criticized as unreliable, while blood tests can detect substances unrelated to impairment, complicating prosecutions. ● Know Your Rights: In Colorado, roadside tests are voluntary. Schelke’s rule of thumb: “If it’s on the side of the road, the answer is no.” ________________________________________ 🚓 Notable Insights ● Even sober individuals can be wrongfully arrested based on weak or subjective evidence ● Marijuana DUI laws rely on thresholds not supported by strong science ● Body cam loopholes (muting, missing footage) can limit accountability ● Early legal strategy often focuses on challenging the legality of the stop itself ________________________________________ 💰 Civil Rights Impact Schelke shares examples of wrongful DUI cases resulting in significant settlements, emphasizing the real-life consequences of flawed arrests and the importance of holding law enforcement accountable. ________________________________________

    Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney Sarah Schielke in Loveland CO

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Ask a Lawyer‘s value for attorneys is the authority signals it sends to Google and it’s good PR. Many attorneys have embedded the episode in their bio, which carries more authority with potential clients and search engines. Google also likes seeing your name on the multiple podcast platforms we’re on. Sharing it on Facebook and your Google Business Profile garners engagement and listens, which are great Google signals. Some attorneys sent out press releases about their guest appearance on a national podcast, which creates more online authority and quality backlinks.