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So whether you dread your next jury summons or just want a fresh, thoughtful take on the week's news, settle in—Common Sense Ohio is ready to break it all down.
Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this episode, hosts Steve Palmer and Brett Johnson dive deep into America’s enduring tradition of jury duty—sparked by the absence of their co-host Norm, who’s been called to serve. Steve shares his experiences as a defense lawyer and reflects on what makes the jury system unique, tracing its origins from the Magna Carta to the Constitution, and explaining why it remains a fundamental check against concentrated power and confirmation bias.
You’ll hear practical stories from the courtroom, a lively discussion on the challenges of critical thinking in modern society, and how media and politics intersect with our legal system—from grand juries to those headline-grabbing indictments.
The hosts also don’t shy away from the latest hot topics: selective and vindictive prosecution, the ongoing federal government shutdown, and political gridlock in DC. They ask tough questions about fairness, transparency, and whether our leaders are held to the same standards as the rest of us.
Plus, the episode features plenty of Ohio flavor, with shoutouts to local traditions like the Circleville Pumpkin Show and updates on Ohio State’s football dominance. As always, Steve and Brett tackle the good, the bad, and the ugly—keeping it conversational and grounded, with plenty of common sense.
Moments
00:00 Juries: Revered and Criticized
05:07 Small County Power Dynamics
09:16 "Jury as Check on Prosecution"
12:16 Wrongful Prosecution and Confirmation Bias
14:55 "Blind Conviction and Evidence"
18:14 Special Needs Funding Concerns
23:20 Prosecution Fairness and Accountability
26:52 "Public Trust and Sentencing Severity"
27:52 "Public Trust Demands Higher Standard"
31:27 Fairness and Truth in Courtrooms
36:19 Republicans Avoid Shutdown Debate
39:33 "Healthcare Debate and Media Standoff"
42:29 "Republicans, Shutdown, and Health"
45:41 "Simple Language Matters"
47:33 "Critiquing Academic Nonsense"
50:18 "Clarity Over Complexity"
56:23 "Pumpkin Show & Road Updates"
58:19 "Ohio State's Uncertain Journey"
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio
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