Beyond the Brief

Latest Episodes
When Lawsuits Go Viral with @CivilRightsLawyer
The proliferation of video is changing how Americans fight for their civil rights, and much of it is happening right here on YouTube. I'm Kim Norberg of the nonprofit civil liberties law firm the Inst
Officer Caught Snitching on Domestic Abuse Victim
In 2013, a Clovis, California police officer found out that his girlfriend Desiree Martinez had reported him for physically abusing herwhile Desiree was trapped in a room with him, leading to further
Town Council Blocks Business for Causing…Competition?!?
In America, the government doesnt get to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. Yet states and cities throughout the country block new business to protect established interests. Thats when IJ s
Popular Family Store Fights Bogus Eminent Domain
Can the government take your land just because they dont like you? Thats happening to Brinkmanns Hardware, a beloved local store in Long Island. After a lengthy fight, the town of Southhold, NY is
Rebel Ridge: Fact or Fiction?
The film Rebel Ridge came September 6 and shot to #1 on Netflix. It depicts a former Marines attempts to get his money back after it was taken by police through civil forfeiture. That story sounded p
Carrying Cash is NOT a Crime
Its legal to travel domestically with any amount of cash. Its legal to travel in and out of the U.S. with more than $10k if you declare it. But that doesnt stop law enforcement from searching trave
To Serve, Protect, and…Fish for Cash? Bogus Traffic Stops Violate 4th Amendment
On a typical day, police officers pull over more than 50,000 drivers. If youve had a recent encounter with police, chances are good it was during a traffic stop. Traffic stops can lead to searches, a
Speaking for a Living and the First Amendment
The freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment is a foundational and cherished right that sets America apart from other constitutional democracies. Many people think of the First Amendme
Will the Supreme Court Finally Curb Civil Forfeiture? Maybe.
As our listeners probably know, civil forfeiture is legal practice that lets the government take and keep your property by claiming its connected to a crime, without needing to convict anyone. You c
SWAT Raids are Out of Control
Imagine a SWAT team raids a housebattering doors, breaking windows, and coating everything inside with tear gas residue. Now imagine the SWAT team had the wrong address. Who do think would pay for t