Law School in Plain English: Torts & Criminal Law.
Whether you’re a law student, an undergraduate considering law school, or a lifelong learner, join me as we demystify the law — one concept at a time. We break down complex legal principles into plain English, making the law accessible for everyone.
Episodes
36 episodes
Product Liability: When Your Toaster Becomes A Defendant
In this explosive episode of Law School in Plain English, we break down product liability—the law that decides who pays when everyday products fail in catastrophic ways. From exploding soda bottles to flaming hair spray, defective cars, and bil...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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11:30
Buck v. Bell: The Supreme Court Case That Inspired Hitler’s Final Solution.
Buck v. Bell: The Supreme Court Case That Inspired Hitler’s Eugenics Nightmare. In 1927, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that states could forcibly sterilize “undesirables” like Carrie Buck—a young woman falsely labeled “feeble-minded” ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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28:43
Law School In Plain English: Hidden Verdicts - When The Supreme Court Justified Death By Electrcity.
They called it progress.Thomas Edison called it science.But when the Supreme Court gave its blessing, electricity became something else entirely — a state-sanctioned killer.In this eerie Halloween edition of Law School in P...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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19:16
Law School In Plain English: Hidden Verdicts - “The Law That Said ‘Everyone’s Equal’—Until You Were Chinese”
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Equal protection under the law.”But what happens when the law looks fair on paper… and is used unfairly in real life?In this episode, Jeff dives into one of the most overlooked Supreme Court case...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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11:08
Strict Liability: When Fault Doesn’t Matter.
You’re liable even if you did nothing wrong. Welcome to Strict Liability—the torts rule that says fault doesn’t matter. In this episode, we break down how owning a vicious dog, storing explosives, or making homemade fireworks ca...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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26:07
The Reasonable Person Goes To Court.
In this episode, we move beyond theory and watch the law’s favorite imaginary character face real-life legal drama. We explore how courts decide what’s foreseeable, what behavior counts as reasonable, and what happens when someone says:👉...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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10:01
Who Is the Reasonable Person? A Dive into Legal Logic.
In this episode of Law School in Plain English: Torts, we dive into the world of the “Reasonable Person”—the unsung hero of legal liability. But what happens when this paragon of predictably meets their chaotic counterpart, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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8:46
Recapture of Chattels - Getting Back What’s Rightfully Yours.
What happens when someone wrongfully takes your property, and you decide to take matters into your own hands? In this episode, we break down the tort defense of Recapture of Chattels. Using relatable examples and a dash of humor, we...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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10:00
When Accidents Tell a Story: A Special Res Ipsa Episode.
In this special extended episode, we take a deep dive into the doctrine of Res Ipsa Loquitur—the legal principle that lets the facts ‘speak for themselves.’ Explore its origins in the famous falling-barrel case, Byrne v. Boad...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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42:05
Necessity - Breaking the Rules for the Greater Good.
In this episode, we explore the defense of Necessity — when breaking the rules is legally justified to prevent greater harm. From stormy backyard emergencies to real-world cases like docked ships, we break down the difference between Publ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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12:34
Consent - When “Yes” Isn’t Forever.
In this episode, we dive into the defense of Consent - what it means to give permission, when it can be revoked, and how long it lasts. From backyard dodgeball to medical procedures, we break down the legal boundaries of Consent in playfu...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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11:51
Defense of Property-Protecting What’s Yours.
In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we explore the limits of defending your property. What actions can you take when someone damages or intrudes on what’s yours? We break down the legal boundaries of reason...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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10:31
The People v . O.J. Simpson: Preliminary Hearings.
What happens after an arrest? In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into preliminary hearings-how they test the evidence, shape the case, and set the stage for trial. Using the O.J. Simpson case, we...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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11:14
Defense of Others - When Can You Step In to Help?
In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we explore the defense of others—when you can step in to protect someone else and how the law determines if your actions are justified. Using a dramatic family reunion scenario and real-w...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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9:36
Defenses of Intentional Torts: Self Defense
In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into the defense of self-defense — when the law allows you to protect yourself and what limits apply. Join us as we continue to make legal concepts simple and engaging.
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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10:30
The People v. O.J. Simpson: Probable Cause.
What is probable cause, and why is it the cornerstone of the criminal justice system? In this episode of Law School In Plain English, we break down the concept of probable cause and its importance in ensuring that arrests an...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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23:04
Trespass to Chattels: Borrowed, Broken, or Both?
How far can someone go before interfering with your personal belongings becomes a legal issue? In this episode we dive into the tort of trespass to chattels.
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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11:59
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: When Words Hurt.
What happens when someone’s actions go beyond rude or offensive and cause extreme emotional harm? In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we unpack the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). Through engagi...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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9:10
False Imprisonment - Boundaries That Aren’t Physical.
Is blocking someone’s way out or detaining a shopper for suspected theft false imprisonment? In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into the boundaries of this often-misunderstood tort. Using relatable...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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8:39
The People v. O.J. Simpson: What Is Murder?
What does it mean to charge someone with murder? In the episode of Law School in Plain English, we break down one of the most serious criminal charges: murder. Using the O. J. Simpson case as our guide, we’ll explore how pro...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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12:16
The People v. O.J. Simpson: Actus Reas.
In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we break down actus reas - the guilty act - a crucial component in proving any crime.
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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16:20
Battery: When Contact Crosses the Line.
In this episode, we tackle the concept of battery - exploring when unwanted contact crosses the line into a legal offense. Join us as we unpack what counts as battery, dive into real-life scenarios, and break down how intent and offensive...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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10:26
Trespass to Land: When Boundaries Are Crossed.
In this episode, we explore the concept of trespass to land - when crossing boundaries becomes a legal issue. We’ll dive into what qualifies as trespass, from uninvited guest to accidental entries, and break down how the law protects your...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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9:14
The People v. O.J. Simpson: Mens Rae.
In this episode of Law School in Plain English, we dive into one of the most critical concepts in criminal law: mens rea, or the “guilty mind.” Using the famous O.J. Simpson trail as our guide, we’ll explore how intent i...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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20:11
Assault - When Threats Cross the Line.
In this episode, we dive into the legal concept of assault, exploring how a simple threat or gesture can cross the line into a legal offense - even without physical contact. Join us as we break down what counts as assault, unpack key exam...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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9:23
