Subject to Cross: Recent Episodes
Subject to Cross
Subject to Cross is a podcast on criminal law hosted by Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa, both attorneys from the law firm, MacElree Harvey, Ltd. in West Chester, PA.
Criminal defense practitioners work to ensure a fair process and outcome for all individuals. Our state and federal constitutional rights encourage fairness. In this country, we all have the same rights. If the system fails for one, it fails for all. As criminal defense lawyers, we fight to make the system work; to make it fair. That’s why what we do matters.
Our mission with this podcast is to put you, the listeners, on the ground floor of that process so that we, and you, can help make it better.
If you have questions you would like us to address on the podcast, email SubjectToCross@macelree.com
This week in Episode 46 of Subject To Cross, Pete and Caroline discuss expungement and the expansion of sealing of criminal records in Pennsylvania. What’s the difference between expungement and sealing? How long does it take to seal a record? Can you seal felonies? How is it beneficial? Learn more wherever you listen to podcasts.
This week in Episode 45, Pete and Caroline discuss changes to probation in Pennsylvania via the Probation Reform Act of 2023. What does probation entail? What happens when you violate probation? Listen and learn on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
This week in Episode 44, Caroline and Pete touch upon the issue of the treatment of mental health in the criminal justice system. Their discussion is triggered by recent news in Dauphin County of inmates facing "two weeks of darkness" in solitary confinement.
This week in Episode 43, Pete and Caroline analyze the popular Netflix series, American Nightmare, covering the 2015 home invasion and kidnapping in Vallejo, California. Spoiler alert warning The duo discuss the case in detail from the handling of evidence, interrogation of key witnesses, and management of the case by the Vallejo police force. If you have watched the series, this episode is not one to miss.Email subjecttocross@macelree.com with comments and suggestions for future episodes.
This week, Caroline and Pete discuss the Second Amendment in the post-Bruen era. Did the Supreme Court go too far? Will Pete and Caroline ever see eye-to-eye on this one? Caroline has permission to discuss a case she is currently working on, and explains how she is arguing this constitutional right in court.Listen to Episode 42 wherever you listen to podcasts, and email subjecttocross@macelree.com with any questions or suggestions for next episodes.
In Episode 41 of Subject to Cross, Caroline and Pete discuss the muddy waters of child abuse appeals (CYF Appeals). Listen to find out what kind of cases each of them tend to take on and the reality behind this consequential administrative process.
In Episode 40 of Subject to Cross, Pete and Caroline pivot to current events discussing actor Alec Baldwin's recent (re-)indictment for manslaughter in New Mexico and charges of sexual assault in Canada against multiple National Hockey League players. A discussion of defense strategies inside and outside the courtroom in high profile cases ensues.
In Episode 39 of Subject to Cross, Pete and Caroline discuss restraining orders in Pennsylvania, also known as PFAs (“Protection from Abuse”). Listen to learn why this civil process can be abused and how it lacks due process for the defense. Pete explains what he would change if he was king of the world. Keep the comments and questions for future episodes coming! Email us at subjecttocross@macelree.com.
This week, Caroline and Pete have murder on the mind. They discuss the types of murder and how each is classified in the Pennsylvania court of law.
In Episode 37 of Subject to Cross, Pete and Caroline discuss how they approach a case – backwards!Listen to Episode 37 wherever you listen to podcasts, and email subjecttocross@macelree.com with any questions or suggestions for next episodes.
This week, Pete and Caroline discuss opinions from the Supreme Court that may impact protections the public now takes for granted. And, Pete gets to use one of his favorite words. Follow along with the conversation by reading the article discussed by Pete and Caroline: "The Supreme Court’s Right Flank Is Laying the Groundwork to Dismantle Defendant Rights": bit.ly/49AptIn
This week, Caroline and Pete discuss the conflict of Pennsylvania’s legalization of medical marijuana with the Commonwealth’s DUI statute. Can you legally drive in Pennsylvania as a medical marijuana user? Or, how about as a lawful user of recreational marijuana in other states? Can these laws be reconciled?
Subject to Cross is back from summer break and Pete is in the hot seat subject to an interview by Caroline. Her questions are unexpected and his answers may surprise you.
This week, Pete quizzes Caroline on some "obscure crimes" in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The questions are bizarre, and the answers may surprise you...Listen to Subject to Cross wherever you listen to podcasts and email subjecttocross@macelree.com with your feedback or suggestions for future episodes.
Pete leads the podcast this week, discussing the concept of "civil forfeiture". As cited in recent news, police in Nebraska are using a loophole to seize millions from motorists without convicting them of crimes. The original article can be found here: bit.ly/3Kpi5or
Pete and Caroline discuss Jones v. Hendrix, the June 2023 majority opinion that requires an innocent person to remain incarcerated because he sought appellate relief too many times.
In Episode 30 of S2X, prompted by listener feedback, Caroline and Pete discuss the internationally recognized case made famous by popular podcast "Serial" - the case of Adnan Syed. Summary: Adnan was convicted of first degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, and sentenced to life +30 years in jail. Decades later his conviction was vacated and he was released.Fast forward to March 2023, evidence and procedural mechanisms allowing for victim input have brought the case back to the spotlight and caused quite a stir.If you were a listener of Serial, this episode is a must-listen.
In Episode 28 of Subject To Cross, Caroline, Pete and special guest Mary Lawrence discuss a recent trial defending a student wrongfully accused of rape and ultimately acquitted by jury. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
In episode 29 of Subject to Cross, Caroline and Pete use their expertise to tackle a recent case involving former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza and show the trouble with jumping to conclusions. Follow along with the quotes and evidence discussed during the episode: yhoo.it/3qdjVkYSearch Subject to Cross podcast "Episode 29: Reputation on the Line" wherever you listen to podcasts.
Back by popular demand…Caroline Donato, Pete Kratsa, and special guest Mary Lawrence of the MacElree Harvey Criminal Defense team are back with a new episode of Subject to Cross podcast. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this episode of Subject to Cross, Caroline and Pete host special guest and fellow criminal defense attorney Arthur Thomas Donato, Esquire. Stay tuned for more "From the Vault" episodes and new episodes to come on any podcast platform.
Caroline and Pete begin a series of guest interviews with MacElree Harvey Associate, Mary Lawrence. Mary provides a behind-the-scenes look into the group’s criminal defense practice.
Caroline and Pete discuss a recent directive from the Department of Justice to Pennsylvania Courts regarding their practice of interfering with individuals’ access to prescribed medication, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Caroline also interferes with Pete’s latest attempt to “lead” the podcast. Again.
In this episode, Caroline and Pete discuss the Kyle Rittenhouse case and recent court ruling leading up to trial. A 17-year-old from Illinois shot and killed 2 men and injured another during protests in August 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The case has been making headlines recently as the trial is currently underway.
In this episode, Criminal Defense Attorneys Caroline Donato and Pete Kratsa discuss the effect and the effectiveness that comfort dogs have in the courtroom.
Caroline and Pete are back for a quick recap on Commonwealth vs. Cosby after the court overturned Cosby's conviction in June 2021. Listen to learn more.
Caroline and Pete discuss child abuse and how they handle CYF (Children, Youth and Families) investigations as Criminal Defense attorneys.
Subject to Cross is back for 2021, answering listener questions, defending Pete’s exercise regimen, and detailing what happens from the start to finish of a Criminal Defense case.
This week, Caroline and Pete discuss some secrets of Criminal Defense lawyers. To follow along, visit: www.mentalfloss.com/article/547920/secrets-of-criminal-defense-attorneys If you have a topic you’d like to hear more about, email subjecttocross@macelree.com.
Caroline and Pete are back after a COVID hiatus to discuss the state of the United States Supreme Court after the death of former Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Follow along with the articles mentioned in the podcast linked below: bit.ly/3cPOXV8 (5:45) bit.ly/33oEoVT (13:00)
Pete and Caroline decided to lighten things up in this episode of S2X. Watch & listen as they chat about favorite quarantine things and laugh over stories from working together.
In this episode of S2X, Caroline & Pete discuss a local case involving a Philadelphia officer who was recently released after being held in federal prison for five years without being convicted of a crime.
Caroline is on her own in this week’s bonus episode of Subject to Cross (S2X), where she describes what happened in the news this week pertaining to the US Government’s sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone’s upcoming sentencing hearing. Be sure to give this a listen, subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Play, and be on the lookout for S2X’s YouTube Channel, coming soon!
In the final episode of the Subject to Cross series on the Cosby Case, Caroline and Pete discuss the appellate court’s opinion in the Cosby case and how this decision can impact criminal defense strategies in future cases.
In Part 2 of the Subject to Cross series on the Cosby Case, Pete and Caroline explore evidentiary issues in the case under the rules of evidence. They explain Rule 404B and the admissibility of prior acts and prior crimes in cases, as well as how that can impact defense strategies moving forward.
In Part 1 of this new series of Subject to Cross, Caroline and Pete give listeners background into the Cosby case following the recent Superior Court opinion denying his appeal. This factual nuance will help listeners understand evidentiary issues and the ultimate decision by the Superior Court in Parts 2 and 3 to follow.
In Episode 10: Pleased to Meet You!, Caroline Donato and Pete Kratsa discuss the importance of getting to know their clients from the outset in the initial client interview. This conversation is designed to create trust and establish attorney/client privilege and confidentiality and to determine what the new attorney/client team is up against.
In Episode 9 of Subject to Cross, Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa revisit a case where perception almost became a reality for a client. The duo revisits the matter and shares how story-showing instead of storytelling helped resolve the case.
In this episode, attorneys Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa discuss Marsy's Law, a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that will be on the state-wide ballot tomorrow, November 5, 2019. While the ballot question seems straightforward, Caroline and Pete unveil the details of the proposed amendment and why it is detrimental to criminal justice in Pennsylvania.
Caroline and Pete discuss the implications of social media and how they can impact cases, both positively and negatively.
Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa describe listener feedback, their new “hook”, and teach their listeners what happens when a person is arrested. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review “Subject to Cross” on iTunes, Spotify, and Google, and email your questions for upcoming episodes at SubjectToCross@macelree.com.
Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa discuss Mandatory Minimums and answer questions from listeners.
Caroline G. Donato and Peter E. Kratsa discuss the Top 10 Observations of a Criminal Defense Attorney.
Subject to Cross, a podcast on criminal law hosted by attorneys, Caroline Donato and Pete Kratsa, both from the law firm MacElree Harvey in West Chester, Pennsylvania.