What actually happens in a felony criminal court, and why does the person behind the bench matter so much to your privacy and your future?
In this episode of So You Got Arrested, hosts Steve Barrera and Jacob Lindberg sit down with Stephanie Franco, a long-time prosecutor and candidate for the 187th District Court in Bexar County. Stephanie shares her unique journey from serving as a juvenile public defender to becoming a felony prosecutor, explaining how seeing both sides of the law shaped her "servant’s heart" and her commitment to individual justice.
The conversation dives deep into:

• The Power of Perspective: How Stephanie’s background in a family of defense attorneys (the Acevedo family) influences her work as a prosecutor.
• The "YouTube Judge" Controversy: A candid discussion on the ethics of live-streaming sensitive victim testimony and how it impacts the "court of public opinion."
• District vs. County Courts: Breaking down the stakes of "big boy court" where life-altering felony charges are decided.
• Rehabilitation in the System: Lessons from Juvenile Court and the "Strive" program that Stephanie hopes to bring to the adult felony bench.

Whether you are navigating the legal system or interested in the upcoming Bexar County elections, this episode offers a rare look at the intersection of public service, legal ethics, and community safety.

Key Statistics: The Bexar County Legal Landscape

To provide context for the 187th District Court race, here is a look at the broader demographics and workload within the San Antonio/Bexar County justice system.

Category | Statistic/Data PointBexar County Population (Approx.) | 2,000,000+
Felony Cases Disposed Annually | ~18,000 – 22,000 cases across all District Courts
Racial Breakdown (Bexar Co.) | ~60% Hispanic/Latino, 26% White, 8% Black
Incarceration Rate (Texas) | ~840 per 100,000 people (one of the highest in the U.S.)
Juvenile Recidivism | Programs like "Strive" aim to reduce the ~20-25% re-offense rate in TX juveniles.

The Texas Court Hierarchy

Stephanie mentions the difference between County and District courts. These represent the primary tiers of the Texas criminal system:

• County Courts: Handle Class A and B misdemeanors (e.g., DWIs, simple assaults).
• District Courts: Handle all felony cases, ranging from drug possession to capital murder.
• Appellate Courts: Review decisions made by the lower courts for legal errors.

Connect with Stephanie Franco:

• Website: StephanieFrancoForJudge.com
• Social Media: @StephanieFrancoForJudge

Get Legal Help:

• Website: brckdefense.com

The Texas justice system can be messy, but understanding how to navigate it—especially after an arrest—is crucial. In this episode of So You Got Arrested, host Scott Simpson of BRIC Criminal Defense sits down with Sal Martinez, owner of Freedom Bail Bonds and author of NARC: Confessions of an Undercover Agent.

Sal brings a unique, 360-degree perspective to the table. Having served as a Texas State Trooper and a DEA undercover agent working against the Mexican cartels in the 1990s, he now helps people navigate the complexities of the bail bond system in Wilson, Atascosa, and Live Oak counties. We dive into the nuts and bolts of how bail works, the risks of "gimmick" bond pricing, and the reality of life under the radar as an undercover agent.

Key topics include:

• The Bail Process: What families need to know about 10% fees, payment plans, and bond revocations.
• Attorney-Writ Bonds: The ethical and practical risks of lawyers acting as bondsmen.
• Life in the 81st District: How bond conditions like GPS and breathalyzers vary across Texas counties.
• Undercover Operations: Sal’s hair-raising stories of "black bag" jobs, working with the Federales, and facing off against cartels.
• Survival Tips: Practical advice on how to handle a traffic stop safely and respectfully.

In this episode of So You Got Arrested, host Scott Simpson sits down with Democratic primary candidate Meredith Chacon to discuss her run for Bexar County District Attorney. Chacon, a former prosecutor and victim advocate with over 18 years of experience, dives deep into the systemic issues currently plaguing the DA's office—from a lack of communication between units to alarming dismissal rates in family violence cases. They explore the "Chinese wall" affecting CPS and criminal units, the importance of the "sister court" mentorship system, and Chacon’s transition from the Republican to the Democratic party as a moderate seeking justice for all of Bexar County.

In this episode of So You Got Arrested, hosts Steve Barrera and Scott Simpson sit down with retired San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officer Greg Andrade. With 29 years on the force, Greg shares an inside look at the transition from rookie patrol officer to Uniform Evidence Detective.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of life on the "West Patrol," the complexities of policing your own neighborhood, and the evolution of law enforcement technology—from Polaroid cameras and handwritten statements to modern dash cams and rugged laptops. Greg also provides a law enforcement perspective on:

• What goes through an officer's mind during a high-speed chase or a felony stop.
• The legal requirements for identifying yourself during a traffic stop.
• How an officer decides between a warning and a citation.
• The "behind-the-scenes" process of collecting evidence at crime scenes.

Whether you're curious about police procedure or want to understand your rights during an encounter, this episode offers a balanced look at the men and women behind the badge.

The journey to justice in the Texas legal system is fraught with challenges. On this candid episode of So You Got Arrested, criminal defense attorneys welcome Oscar Salinas, a Democratic candidate for Bexar County District Attorney, to discuss his platform for change.

Salinas, who honed his skills as a line prosecutor under former DA Nico LaHood and served in Denton County, stresses the urgent need for internal reform. He proposes bringing back robust training programs and the sister court mentorship system to support the many new prosecutors who often leave the job prematurely due to a lack of guidance.

The conversation covers:

• The Backlog's Root Cause: Why poor morale and inadequate training are key contributors to the massive case backlog, rather than just case volume.
• The 'Just' Decision: Salinas’ philosophy on empowering prosecutors to dismiss or reject cases when evidence is weak, regardless of pressure from media or "trolls."
• Growing Population vs. Stagnant Resources: How the DA's office is struggling to keep pace with Bexar County's growth, including the need for more Victim Advocates and additional district courts.

Salinas offers a prosecutor's perspective on how confidence, mentorship, and a commitment to justice—not pleasing public opinion—are essential to leading an effective and fair DA's office.

The Texas justice system can be complex, especially when dealing with probation. In this episode of "So You Got Arrested," BRCK criminal defense attorneys break down the ins and outs of probation, focusing specifically on what happens when a violation of probation—also known as a Motion to Revoke (MTR) or a Motion to Adjudicate (MTA)—is filed.

We clarify the difference between the two main types of probation—Deferred Adjudication (where successful completion leads to dismissal) and Regular/Straight Probation (where you are already convicted and a sentence is suspended)—and how a violation affects each one differently, including the maximum potential punishment.

Key Topics Covered:

• 🛑 What is Probation? Understanding "Community Supervision" and the conditions you must follow.
• 🚨 The Revocation Process: From a minor violation (like a dirty UA) to the warrant, no-bond status, and the attorney's role in securing a bond.
• 💰 Failure to Pay vs. Failure to Report: The critical difference and why stopping supervision fees won't revoke your probation, but stopping reporting will.
• 🔒 Deferred vs. Regular Probation Consequences: The "all or nothing" stakes of Deferred Adjudication (potential for full range of punishment, including 99 years for a First Degree Felony) versus the caps on Regular Probation (maximum 10-year sentence).
• ⚖️ The MTR Hearing: Your rights, the lack of a jury, and the lower "Preponderance of the Evidence" burden of proof (the 51% test) compared to "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt."
• 📝 Pleading True with an Explanation: Strategies for admitting minor violations while seeking a non-revocation outcome.
• 🚫 Technical vs. New Crime Violations: Why absconding (failure to report) and committing new offenses (Number One violations) are the most serious, and what to do about pending charges.
• ✅ The Judge's Options: What the judge can do at the conclusion of an MTR hearing, including revoking probation, converting Deferred to Regular Probation, or imposing a jail sanction (up to 180 days) as a condition of continuance.

If you are facing charges or need to understand your rights, options, and the smart moves that could change everything after an arrest or probation violation, this is the essential guide you need.

Criminal defense attorneys BRCK host an exciting discussion with Shannon Locke, a board-certified criminal defense attorney and candidate for Bexar County District Attorney. The conversation breaks down the messy nature of the Texas justice system, focusing on Bexar County's current challenges and the changes Locke proposes.

Locke, who has experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in San Antonio, explains the importance of having a board-certified expert leading the DA's office, and how his deep understanding of the law is crucial for handling serious cases and maintaining public trust.

The discussion also dives into:

• Why the DA's office should stop asking, "Can we win this case?" and start asking, "What is the problem here?"
• The critical need for a collaborative relationship between the DA's office and law enforcement (like SAPD) through open communication and strategy.
• The issue of case backlog and the urgent need to address problems like domestic violence and exploitative relationships on the front end, rather than waiting years for trials.
• The importance of empowering Assistant DAs with discretion and supporting their mental health to create a less toxic, more effective environment.

Locke also shares his background, including his time in Arizona, his move to San Antonio to work under Susan Reed, and his unique perspective as the only bilingual (Spanish-speaking) candidate for the office.

Follow Shannon on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonlocke5

Connect with us

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https://www.brckdefense.com/

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Tune in as BRCK Criminal Defense attorneys break down critical constitutional rights in the context of Texas arrests. This episode demystifies common legal phrases like "pleading the fifth" (Fifth Amendment self-incrimination) and the Miranda Rule (custody and interrogation). The hosts also cover Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure in vehicles, discussing the automobile exception, probable cause (like the smell of marijuana), and inventory searches. Get essential advice on handling traffic stops, Field Sobriety Tests, and DWI blood/breath requests, especially before the holidays. 00:00 Introduction: "So You Got Arrested" podcast, Texas justice system, and understanding your rights. 00:27 Pleading the Fifth: Explaining the right against self-incrimination from the Fifth Amendment. 01:22 Pleading the Fifth for Witnesses: The critical difference: witnesses who are not suspects do not have a Fifth Amendment right. 02:12 Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Overview of the right against unlawful search/seizure and self-incrimination. 02:43 Federal vs. State Constitutional Rights: Discussing how the Texas Constitution provides equal or greater rights. 03:37 Miranda Rights: Debunking the myth that a case is thrown out if rights aren't read; the requirements of Custody and Interrogation. 04:32 Volunteered Statements (Res Gestae): Why statements not in response to questioning (e.g., in a police car) are admissible. 05:58 The Jinx/Robert Durst Example: Confessing while talking to himself on a hot mic during an interview (not custody/interrogation). 07:25 Vehicle Stops and the Fourth Amendment: Discussing the lower expectation of privacy in an automobile vs. a home. 08:23 Automobile Exception: Why police generally don't need a warrant to search a vehicle (mobility). 09:52 Probable Cause - Smell of Marijuana: Why the smell of marijuana alone gives officers probable cause to search. 11:43 Searching Without Probable Cause or Consent: Discussing the use of a K-9 unit (drug dog). 12:41 Arrestable Offenses in Texas: Most offenses are technically arrestable, except speeding and open container. 13:28 Inventory Search Exception: How police can search a vehicle after towing it, and the requirement for a specific department policy. 17:24 Arizona v. Gant: The Supreme Court decision that cut back on the "search incident to arrest" doctrine for vehicles. 21:14 Pretext Stops: Why the officer's true motive for a stop doesn't matter as long as a legitimate violation occurred (e.g., expired registration). 23:39 Holiday Safety and DWI Advice: What to do when pulled over for a potential DWI. 24:57 Field Sobriety Tests: Advice on refusing or performing the tests and the Catch-22. 25:57 Breath/Blood Tests: Discussion of Intoxilyzers, blood draws, and the varying policies across counties. 28:35 Final Holiday Warning & Contact Information

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