Welcome to the Rule of Law Podcast! We break down complex legal concepts into everyday understanding, empowering you to navigate the justice system with confidence. We answer your questions with the facts you need to know in today’s world of conflict and controversy arising in courthouses across the nation, and in your neighborhood.
“As an attorney, it is not unusual for people to ask me questions about the law but I have been hearing questions about “the Rule of Law” more and more. I hear them from neighbors, colleagues, and other everyday Americans. While I can answer some questions, I couldn’t offer easy answers to the “why” questions. So, I convinced two judges I respected to help me learn the answers and the “Rule of Law Podcast” was born. Sometimes, I ask hard questions, and not always the most respectfully, but those are the hard questions that I need them to answer, in terms I can share with my friends.” – Alf, Rule of Law Podcast Host
In this time of change, questions about how our Constitution and “the law” work may show up unexpectedly. Drop us a line, so I can ask your question and dig a little deeper. We’re all about building our community’s understanding of the law, empowering you to navigate the justice system in court or, more likely, in your neighborhood. Please send your questions to: info@judges.org.
Stay tuned! New episodes of the “Rule of Law” will appear on Wednesdays.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This podcast program cannot and does not provide legal advice. Instead, it gives you information about your Constitutional rights and the law.
You may often hear arguments about “Rule of Law,” from lawyers or public officials. You may wonder what it has to do with your life. Why should you care? The Program’s first podcast works through what the phrase means for everyday Americans and how it affects their lives. Rule of Law, it’s not just for lawyers.
Judges, right up to the US Supreme Court, tell us that we all have a right to “due process.” You may not want to be in court for that process . . . until a government tries to take something away from you – your property, your right to go about your business, or your right to travel as you please. This podcast shares how judges protect your right to everyday life.
Judges issue orders every day, to people, families, companies, and government agencies. You may not have received one in your life, so why should you care if other people do or don’t follow court orders. This podcast explores how everyone following the law and court orders protects your rights in your everyday life.
Guest: Bernice Donald (Memphis, Tennessee)
Judge Bernice Donald retired from the US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, where she heard appeals on cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. She grew up in southern Mississippi in the 1950’s, attending segregated schools until she was a junior in high school. Her teachers and school officials never told her about college, but she found her way to the University of Memphis. She decided to become a lawyer because she wanted to fight for justice. She spent 40 years as a judge, first taking the bench at age 31 by winning election to the General Sessions Criminal Court for Shelby County, Tennessee, making her the first African American woman judge in the state. She also served in federal courts, hearing people’s claims for bankruptcy and as a federal trial judge in Memphis, judging both criminal and civil cases.
Guest: Ned Wahl (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Judge Ned Wahl joined his local state trial court relatively late in his career, at age 56 and almost 30 years after becoming a lawyer. As a lawyer, he handled civil disputes for his clients all over the country. He always appreciated those judges who could make their decisions clear, particularly to his clients. So, when he took the bench, he did everything he could to make his courtroom and his decisions clear and understandable to everyday Americans who appeared before him. He spent four years in family court, deciding cases about child custody, parents’ responsibilities to each other and to their kids, and, sadly, domestic violence. Recently, he has listened and decided civil disputes between people and businesses, and hosted juries to decide some criminal cases.
Host: Alf Brandt (Sacramento, California)
Alf Brandt spent most of his career in public service, in local, state, and federal governments. He focused on resolving conflicts over water in California and Nevada. The “Rule of Law” helped him resolve water conflicts, as everyone tried to follow the rules. But Alf took it for granted. Then the world changed and some questioned the place for the Rule of Law in 21st Century America. He feels blessed to have the opportunity to ask judges to explain why and how the Rule of Law protects all Americans. This program is Alf’s first experience in podcasting.
This podcast program cannot and does not provide legal advice. Instead, it gives you information about your Constitutional rights and the law.