For the Defense with David Oscar Markus
rakontur
David Oscar Markus, a Miami trial attorney, has been called “a reincarnation of the old school criminal defense lawyer” and has represented clients from the head of the Cali Cartel to Fortune 500 companies and their CEOs. David has partnered with rakontur, the lauded storytellers behind Cocaine Cowboys, The U and 537 Votes, on the podcast, For the Defense.
The podcast focuses on the work of the least-respected but perhaps the most important profession in America: the criminal defense attorney. In each episode, Markus will interview a top criminal defense lawyer about one of their most gripping trials.
Sadly, the criminal defense trial lawyer is a dying breed. The Feds have manipulated the system -- which was founded on the idea of trial by jury -- to force almost everyone (occasionally including the innocent) into pleading guilty to avoid trial. If you dare to go to trial, you risk going to prison for decades longer than had you surrendered and pleaded guilty. The system has shifted from valuing and encouraging trials to punishing those who dare exercise their constitutional right to have a jury decide their guilt. In the 1980s, over 20% of cases went to trial -- now less than 3% do so.
Having tried cases all over the United States, Markus is well-positioned to speak to other leading criminal defense lawyers in the country and explore with them the decision they made in a high-profile case to proceed to trial, including their trial strategy, the risks involved, and the clients themselves.
The podcast is currently in Season 6. It has broken news, achieved industry-wide accolades, and is the go to listen for trial lawyers around the country.
CONTACT: info@rakontur.com, DMarkus@markuslaw.com
The podcast focuses on the work of the least-respected but perhaps the most important profession in America: the criminal defense attorney. In each episode, Markus will interview a top criminal defense lawyer about one of their most gripping trials.
Sadly, the criminal defense trial lawyer is a dying breed. The Feds have manipulated the system -- which was founded on the idea of trial by jury -- to force almost everyone (occasionally including the innocent) into pleading guilty to avoid trial. If you dare to go to trial, you risk going to prison for decades longer than had you surrendered and pleaded guilty. The system has shifted from valuing and encouraging trials to punishing those who dare exercise their constitutional right to have a jury decide their guilt. In the 1980s, over 20% of cases went to trial -- now less than 3% do so.
Having tried cases all over the United States, Markus is well-positioned to speak to other leading criminal defense lawyers in the country and explore with them the decision they made in a high-profile case to proceed to trial, including their trial strategy, the risks involved, and the clients themselves.
The podcast is currently in Season 6. It has broken news, achieved industry-wide accolades, and is the go to listen for trial lawyers around the country.
CONTACT: info@rakontur.com, DMarkus@markuslaw.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 3, 2024 • 58min
Todd Blanche for former President Donald Trump
Todd Blanche, counsel to former President Donald Trump, joins David Oscar Markus to discuss the New York trial of People v. Trump.Todd Blanche, the first guest to appear twice on For the Defense with David Oscar Markus, discusses everything from the war room to Melania Trump not appearing at trial to getting into it with Michael Cohen and everything in between in this in-depth and free flowing interview about the trial of the century involving the former President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Apr 30, 2024 • 1h 6min
Judge Kevin Newsom
In this bonus episode, Judge Kevin Newsom joins David Oscar Markus for an open and wide-ranging discussion about being a judge on the 11th Circuit, legal writing, and even a recent health scare. This bonus episode of For the Defense with the affable Judge Kevin Newsom and David Oscar Markus (they were law school classmates) continues to explore what it's like to be a federal judge and what makes these judges tick. As you'll hear, Judge Newsom is super smart, approachable, and down to earth. We will also discuss why he concurs with his own opinions, what he believes the role of judging is, how he got his start, and lots more.
Feb 20, 2024 • 43min
Judge Nancy G. Abudu
In this bonus episode, Judge Nancy G. Abudu – the newest judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals – joins David Oscar Markus for an open discussion about her career, the confirmation process, and the Court itself.Almost all appellate judges served as lower court judges and bring that experience with them to the appellate bench. But Judge Nancy Abudu’s path was quite different. In this bonus episode of For the Defense, Judge Abudu discusses her unique path, as well as why that professional and personal diversity is so important to the bench. You’ll also hear how down-to-earth and humble she is, how she spends her free time, a little about her first few opinions on the court, and more.
19 snips
Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 5min
Michael Schachter and Randall Jackson for Tom Barrack
Defense attorneys Michael Schachter and Randall Jackson discuss their successful acquittal of Tom Barrack. They navigate white-collar criminal defense cases, jury selection challenges, effective communication with clients, and the power of storytelling in legal trials. The podcast highlights the importance of teamwork, strategic trial tactics, and celebrating victories in the legal profession.
Sep 12, 2023 • 1h 9min
Margot Moss (and I) for Mayor Andrew Gillum
In the Season 5 finale, partners Margot Moss and David Oscar Markus discuss their successful representation of Mayor Andrew Gillum.Mayor Gillum was a hairbreadth away from being Florida’s Governor. Had the FBI not started and leaked an unjustified investigation, he would have won. But once they did so, they kept the target on Gillum’s back, eventually charging him with 19 counts in federal court in Tallahassee. Enter Margot Moss and David Markus. They discuss how they prepared and tried the case before an antagonistic judge.
Aug 29, 2023 • 53min
Craig Albee for Mark Jensen (letter from the grave case)
Was it suicide or was it murder? Craig Albee sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss whether Mark Jensen murdered his wife with antifreeze or whether she committed suicide.Craig Albee is the federal defender in Wisconsin. And he's tried lots of cases. But nothing like this one, which has led to books, movies, and of course, podcasts. Known as the "letter from the grave" case, Julie Jensen wrote a letter shortly before her death saying that if she turned up dead, her husband "would be my first suspect." Albee and the defense said that this was just a set up and that she actually committed suicide. Check out the wild twists and turns of these multiple murder trials as David Oscar Markus explores the strategies with Albee for defending a man accused of murder.
Aug 15, 2023 • 53min
Barry Scheck for the Innocence Project
Barry Scheck put DNA evidence on the map during the O.J. Simpson trial and now runs the amazing Innocence Project.Barry Scheck, a titan of the criminal defense bar, sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss high profile cases, exonerating the innocent, and the practice of law. He's one of the best and it shows.
Aug 6, 2023 • 47min
John Lauro for Donald J. Trump
John Lauro is not sitting back in his defense of Donald Trump. Listen to him discuss his defense strategy with David Oscar Markus on this special episode of For the Defense.John Lauro is former President Trump's lawyer in the January 6 case in Washington D.C. In this interview with David Oscar Markus, he goes in depth on how he got involved in the case, his defense strategy, his media strategy, why he would represent Hunter Biden if asked, and lots of other interesting topics.
Aug 1, 2023 • 1h 10min
Matthew Menchel for UBS banker Raoul Weil
David Oscar Markus interviews Matthew Menchel, one of the best trial lawyers in the country, on his acquittal for UBS banker Raoul Weil. The U.S. had enough with wealthy tax cheats hiding their money in Swiss bank accounts. So it decided to go after the foreign bankers to send a message, including Raoul Weil, one of the top executives at UBS. Enter Matt Menchel, who defended Weil in federal court. Matt sits down with David Markus in this fun episode to discuss the ins and outs of winning a complicated white collar case.
Jul 18, 2023 • 51min
Lisa Wayne for New Orleans DA Jason Williams
David Oscar Markus interviews Lisa Wayne, the executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, on her most recent trial win, for New Orleans district attorney Jason Williams.Progressive prosecutors have been pretty controversial around the country. The recently elected district attorney in New Orleans was no exception as he was indicted in federal court on 10 counts of tax fraud. Even prosecutors need criminal defense lawyers, and this one turned to one of the greats in Lisa Wayne. Listen to her and David Oscar Markus discuss how race, politics, and the media all played into this high profile case – Lisa’s last before taking the reigns of NACDL.
