In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Bert Richardson of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals—Texas' highest criminal court—for a wide-ranging, insightful, and at times hilarious conversation. From the intricacies of writs and actual innocence rulings to statewide judicial campaigns and aerial photography, Judge Richardson shares a lifetime of experiences both inside and outside the courtroom.

We explore the significance of wrongful convictions, the inner workings of Texas’ criminal appellate system, the impact of politicizing the judiciary, and what it really means to be a judge in Texas today. Plus—yes—there’s cake, gout, and an epic courtroom tour invite.

Show Highlights:

• 🎂 Amanda’s Birthday Cake Saga: Episode 2 of the dessert-fueled tribute (and Karl's 10% increase in diabetes risk)
• ⚖️ What Is the Court of Criminal Appeals?: The true role of Texas’ highest criminal court and how it differs from the Supreme Court
• 🧾 Judge vs. Justice: Clearing up the judicial terminology confusion
• 📍 Life in the Court: Where the justices work, how they collaborate, and why some can’t visit each other's offices
• ✍️ Writs 101: Understanding habeas corpus, actual innocence, and the real process behind high-profile exonerations
• 📚 The Kerry Max Cook Case: A decades-long saga of wrongful conviction, misconduct, and eventual exoneration
• 📷 Photography Hobby: Judge Richardson’s hidden life as a sports and aviation photographer
• ✈️ Flying, Track Meets & Warbirds: How photography and the Air Force shaped his life and career
• 🗳️ Elections vs. Appointments: A candid discussion about the pros and cons of electing judges in Texas
• 🧠 A Day in the Life of a Judge: Monk-like solitude, Tuesday morning conferences, and behind-the-scenes court operations
• 🏃‍♂️ The 100-Yard Dash Debate: Who’s faster—Peter or Karl? (The jury's still out)

Final Thoughts:
Judge Richardson reflects on decades of public service, the evolution of Texas’ courts, and the unexpected adventures that came from staying curious—and staying grounded. Whether you're a legal nerd or just here for the banter, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this high-powered episode of The Dirty Verdict, the guys welcome legal heavyweight Kyle Farrar, two-time National Trial Lawyer of the Year and appellate ace, for an in-depth look at two of the most talked-about product liability verdicts in the country — including a $31 million Miami verdict and a nearly $1 billion seatbelt defect case against Mitsubishi.

From starting a boutique plaintiff’s firm with a loan and a tire case they swore they’d never take, to building a national litigation powerhouse, Kyle recounts his journey in candid, hilarious, and jaw-dropping detail. And yes — they even dive into lemur litigation.

Highlights from the Show:

• 🎯 $31 Million Miami Verdict: How a flying wheel assembly led to a tragic loss — and a high-stakes agency theory trial win.
• 🏛️ The Mitsubishi Seatbelt Case: A 1992 sports car, rip-stitch seatbelt defect, and a billion-dollar judgment that changed lives.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Trial Tactics & Jury Strategy: From unique jury selection in Florida to prepping witnesses with master consultants.
• 🔧 Auto Products & Tire Litigation: How Kyle’s firm came to dominate the nation’s tire defect docket — by accident.
• 🧠 Mentorship & Firm Building: Starting a firm on fumes, hiring their first lawyer the day Kyle’s son was born, and growing into a national presence.
• 🐒 The Lemur Case: A surprise detour into Texas’s most unforgettable monkey-mauling mailman lawsuit.
• 🙌 Faith, Mission Work & Client Humanity: Heartfelt moments from clients whose lives were changed — and how Kyle’s team helped them seek justice.
• 🗣️ Lawyering in Loud Courtrooms: Miami lawyers, Zoom deposition brawls, and what not to do when pro hac vice.
• 🎥 Alex Jones Trial Behind the Scenes: Kyle recalls the viral courtroom moment when Jones tried to confront him mid-trial.

Bonus:
Find out what happens when you tell opposing counsel to "shut your mouth" in a deposition — and why Wes Ball didn’t know he was trying the case until a week in.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more
🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok & Instagram for clips and updates

Let me know if you want a shorter version for podcast platforms or a caption for social media!

In this eye-opening episode of The Dirty Verdict, the team welcomes a truly unique guest: Justice of the Peace Judge Steve Duble. With a no-nonsense yet empathetic approach, Judge Duble offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most misunderstood and impactful courts in Texas—JP Court.

From eviction cases and consumer debt to animal seizures and mental health dockets, Judge Duble breaks down what really happens in JP court, why it matters, and how he's working to make it more just and accessible for everyone. Whether you're a litigator, a law student, or a curious citizen, this episode is a must-listen for understanding grassroots justice in action.

Episode Highlights:

• 🎙️ Meet Judge Steve Duble: From pro bono eviction work to the JP bench
• ⚖️ JP Court vs. Civil Court: Different rules, different world
• 🧾 Why traditional legal procedures don’t apply in JP Court—and what does
• 🏘️ Evictions 101: Why even multimillion-dollar cases start in JP court
• 🧠 Mental health dockets, traffic tickets, and dangerous dog cases—yes, really
• 💸 The debt docket: 6,000+ active cases and how Judge Duble handles them
• 📲 How technology (and Zoom court) is changing access to justice
• 📚 Creating a resource center: printed legal forms, free computer access, and more
• 🧑‍⚖️ Why lawyers don’t need to be lawyers to become a JP in Texas
• 💥 The most bizarre cases, including HOA drama, dog haircuts, and a sorority party gone wrong
• 🏛️ Access to Justice: Working with nonprofits, law schools, and the United Way to help those in need
• 🎓 Advice for young attorneys: Know the 500 Rules and stay flexible
• 🎯 Future plans: Grants, programs, and why Judge Duble has no desire to move up to a “court of record”

Bonus:
Find out why The Dirty Verdict still doesn’t have a live JP court stream, and why Kyle and Bill are considering a field trip to test the limits of hotel eviction law.

📍Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook—and yes, even LinkedIn. Stay tuned for upcoming guests and our next podcast road trip.

👉 Learn more about Judge Duble’s access to justice efforts: www.steveduble.com