36 episodes

The Presumption is the official podcast of high-profile criminal defense attorney and media personality Sara Azari and acclaimed criminal trial lawyer Jim Griffin. With over 55 years of aggregate courtroom experience in state and federal courts from coast to coast, Sara and Jim provide listeners and viewers with in-depth analysis of the riveting criminal cases that make headlines and those that should make headlines. The podcast will explore the role and impact of media on the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial, as well as the forgotten disease of mental illness and addiction in crime. Episodes will present an important conversation between the hosts and/or in-depth interviews with high profile figures in criminal justice, as well as newsmakers and other influential figures.

The Presumption The Presumption Pod

    • True Crime
    • 3.0 • 189 Ratings

The Presumption is the official podcast of high-profile criminal defense attorney and media personality Sara Azari and acclaimed criminal trial lawyer Jim Griffin. With over 55 years of aggregate courtroom experience in state and federal courts from coast to coast, Sara and Jim provide listeners and viewers with in-depth analysis of the riveting criminal cases that make headlines and those that should make headlines. The podcast will explore the role and impact of media on the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial, as well as the forgotten disease of mental illness and addiction in crime. Episodes will present an important conversation between the hosts and/or in-depth interviews with high profile figures in criminal justice, as well as newsmakers and other influential figures.

    #035 – Will Folks on All the Things, Including Murdaugh  

    #035 – Will Folks on All the Things, Including Murdaugh  

    On this week's show Sara and Jim sit with Will Folks. The irreverant founder and editor of Fits News shares about how the news operation started, his one too many kids, and his journey of sobriety. Up close and personal, talks openly about his relationship with newsmaker and politician Nikki Haley. Will also shares about his coverage of corruption S. Carolina,  the Murdaugh case, and life after Murdaugh. Sara, Jim and Will then take a deep dive into the case against Susan Smith and whether she deserves early parole. Does the woman Sara refers to as “Horny Susan” and a “sex machine” deserve freedom? What says Will? The hosts and Will then examine the Michigan cases against the Crumbley parents leading to guilty verdicts for the actions of their son who shot up his high school after a history of mental health struggles that went neglected by the Crumbleys.  Jim shares an interesting story about S. Carolina prisons for women, and Sara wraps the show by asking Will who he’d hire if he got into trouble.   

    Art – Simon & Associates 
    Music – Caleb Fletcher 

    • 59 min
    #034 Pat Harris EXCLUSIVE: New Evidence May Lead to New Trial for Scott Peterson

    #034 Pat Harris EXCLUSIVE: New Evidence May Lead to New Trial for Scott Peterson

    Pat Harris, Scott Peterson’s attorney, sits down with Sara for an exclusive interview about shocking new evidence regarding the disappearance and murder of his wife Laci Peterson and son Connor, as well as Scott Peterson’s road to a possible new trial. Sara and Pat talk at length about the extensive defense investigation over the past two decades, and the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s recent motion dump. They also discuss the media firestorm that seems to follow the Scott Peterson case, prosecutorial misconduct, and the blatant and intentional withholding of evidence from the defense. Later, Pat shares about the case of Will Lynch, a vigilante who nearly killed a priest he accused of child abuse, as well as his experience defending Chris Brown. Before the conversation wraps, Sara grills Pat on his relationship with Susan McDougal: sex with a client, or was it a pre-existing relationship? 

    Art – Simon & Associates
    Music – Caleb Fletcher 

    • 1 hr 3 min
    #033 – Elizabeth Kelley on Representing People with Mental Illness and Disabilities, & Addiction

    #033 – Elizabeth Kelley on Representing People with Mental Illness and Disabilities, & Addiction

    Elizabeth Kelley joins the show this week sharing her expertise representing people struggling with mental illnesses or mental disabilities. Elizabeth, Sara and Jim begin the show by discussing the difference between these two, “illness” and “disability”, and how those afflicted are treated in the criminal justice system. They also discuss more specifically about individuals on the autism spectrum and the misunderstandings of this diagnosis that are prevalent throughout the country and justice systems state by state. Later they talk about dementia, not guilty by reason of insanity defense, and how to best persuade judges and prosecutors that drug addiction is a symptom of mental illness and self-medication, and neither an excuse nor voluntary. Before wrapping, Sara and Jim ask Elizabeth about cases involving brain injuries, lack of suitable treatment and conditions in jails and prisons for the mentally ill, and how courts across the nation are educating themselves on this forgotten disease within the criminal justice system.

    Art – Simon & Associates
    Music – Caleb Fletcher

    • 50 min
    #032 – Theories, Conspiracies, and Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding James Brown’s Death

    #032 – Theories, Conspiracies, and Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding James Brown’s Death

    This week, criminal trial attorneys Sara Azari and Jim Griffin break down the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of legend and godfather of soul, James Brown. They also discuss the mysterious death of Brown’s son-in-law, and whether or not the two deaths are linked. Jim shares his experience representing two of Brown’s biological daughters in the ongoing litigation surrounding his estate. For more on this fascinating story, tune into the latest episode of Sara’s show ‘Death By Fame’, premiering February 12th on Investigation Discovery.

    Art – Simon & Associates
    Music – Caleb Fletcher

    • 35 min
    #031 - Savannah Chrisley (Part 2): Advocacy for Prison Conditions, and the Pursuit of Criminal Justice

    #031 - Savannah Chrisley (Part 2): Advocacy for Prison Conditions, and the Pursuit of Criminal Justice

    Jim and Sara continue their conversation with justice warrior, Savannah Chrisley. This week, the conversation is focused on the deplorable prison conditions that are impacting prisoners and families all across the nation, including Savannah’s father, Todd. They challenge prison policies that muzzle inmates and violate the 1st amendment. They also discuss the many double standards that are in place when it comes to defending a person accused of a crime, and how to fight against the perceived notion of ‘white privilege’. In closing, Sara asks Savannah about the role of faith in her new reality, the meaning of ‘pro-life’, and her thoughts on a possible pardon from former President Trump, should he get re-elected.

    Art – Simon & Associates
    Music – Caleb Fletcher

    • 30 min
    #030 - Savannah Chrisley (Part 1): The Fraud Case Against Todd and Julie Chrisley

    #030 - Savannah Chrisley (Part 1): The Fraud Case Against Todd and Julie Chrisley

    Savannah Chrisley has been advocating for criminal justice after her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were convicted of multiple counts of fraud in 2022. Today she joins Sara and Jim for a conversation about the way her family was treated in both the media and at trial, and how it led to a violation of not only their presumption of innocence, but multiple other constitutional rights. She says they were the target of celebrity injustice. Savannah makes her case about her parent’s wrongful conviction, the unfair punishment they both received as a result, and their pending appeal. Savannah will return next week to continue the conversation!

    Art – Simon & Associates
    Music – Caleb Fletcher

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5
189 Ratings

189 Ratings

it’sakeeper ,

Red10

The ratings curiously don’t coincide with the quality of this podcast. It’s excellent!

Disheveledsnskr ,

The low ratings make no sense

This is an awesome podcast. Sara does interrupt sometimes, and it’s something she should work on. But it definitely isn’t at a level that warrants a one-star review. Most of the low ratings are just from people who don’t like them for the stance on the Murdaugh stuff.

Put any of your opinions on that aside. Most of the episodes aren’t about that case anyway. They always have interesting guests and fun discussions. I’ve learned a ton from this show.

Playmangeast ,

Jim is a liar

What happened to Alex’s alibi you claimed was solid for a year???

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