Both Sides of the Bench

Think you know how the criminal justice system works? Chances are you've picked up a few myths along the way.
In this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, Shaun is joined by Derek McCoy of Culberson Bail Bonding to answer the questions people ask every day after an arrest. They discuss what you're legally required to do during a DUI stop, whether you should perform field sobriety tests, refusing roadside and evidentiary breath tests, when to hire an attorney, how bail really works, why bond amounts vary so much, prescription medication arrests, common misconceptions about the court process, and what actually happens from arrest to indictment.
Whether you've never had any interaction with the criminal justice system or you've been through it before, this episode pulls back the curtain on how things really work, without the Hollywood myths or social media misinformation.

This week on Both Sides of the Bench, I break down the legal controversy surrounding Governor Tate Reeves' appointment of Hinds County's interim District Attorney and whether Mississippi law even allows someone who doesn't live in the district to serve. If the appointment is invalid, what does that mean for indictments, plea deals, and the authority of the DA's Office?
I also wrap up the Jackson bribery scandal following the guilty pleas of former District Attorney Jody Owens, former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, and former Councilman Aaron Banks, and explain what comes next for Hinds County.
Then we shift into some of the biggest legal myths I hear every week:
Can police legally lie to you during an interrogation?
Does failing to read your Miranda rights get your case thrown out?
When can police search your car without a warrant?
Does a medical marijuana card protect you from a DUI?
If you've ever wondered how these laws actually work in the real world, this episode is for you.
 
 
 

With Jody Owens out as Hinds County District Attorney, there's been plenty of confusion about who is actually running the office and what happens next. In this episode, I break down the temporary appointment of Brad McCullough, the governor's role in selecting the next DA, whether Owens' guilty plea could impact past convictions, and the challenges facing whoever takes over one of Mississippi's most scrutinized prosecutor's offices.

Could your significant other get you arrested?
This Saturday on Both Sides of the Bench, we're talking about constructive possession, spousal privilege, and why dating the wrong person can sometimes turn into a criminal case. If drugs are found in a house, whose drugs are they? And if both of you get arrested, can your spouse testify against you?
We'll also break down the Broadmoor shooting that led to a murder charge and discuss why the answer to "Can I shoot someone breaking into my car?" isn't as simple as most people think.
Plus, the Mississippi Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Saint Patrick's Day murder case involving Jordan Cummings, putting self-defense law back in the spotlight.
📻 Saturday • 11:00 AM🎙️ 103.9 WYAB📱 Live on Facebook & YouTube
Watch who you date. Watch who you marry. And for the love of God, watch whose drugs are in your house.

Tomorrow's show took an unexpected turn.
We'll be discussing the shooting on Broadmoor Drive and a question that always generates strong opinions: Can you legally shoot someone for breaking into your car?
We'll also talk about constructive possession and why dating the wrong person can sometimes lead to criminal charges you never saw coming.
The law and common sense don't always line up, and we'll break down where they do and where they don't.
Join me tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on 103.9 WYAB or right here on Facebook.

The Jackson bribery trial is heating up, and one proposed expert witness may be the most unusual part yet: a psychologist set to testify about how alcohol affected the district attorney's judgment. As a former prosecutor, I've never seen this strategy before. Here's why I think the judge is likely to keep that testimony out and what it says about the defense's game plan.

Former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the Karmelo Anthony verdict and explains why the jury reached its decision. From self-defense and proportionality to Batson challenges, imperfect self-defense, the Castle Doctrine, and whether defendants should ever testify, Shaun separates courtroom reality from social media narratives.
He also discusses how online commentary can distort public perception of criminal cases and what jurors are actually asked to decide in the courtroom. Based on his experience on both sides of the aisle, Shaun examines the law, the strategy, and the facts behind one of the most talked-about trials in the country.

Former drug dealer turned successful entrepreneur Teddy McRaney joins Shaun Yurtkuran for a candid conversation about life in the drug trade, the money, the risks, and what it took to walk away from that world. Teddy shares how he went from selling dope to building Double Wide's Crawfish into a successful business and explains why many of the same skills that make someone successful on the streets can also lead to success in legitimate business. This is an honest discussion about crime, redemption, entrepreneurship, second chances, and the reality behind a life most people only hear about in stories.

For decades, people have heard the same advice after a DUI stop: "Don't blow." But is that actually good advice?
In this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, former prosecutor and Mississippi criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the reality behind refusing a breathalyzer. Learn the difference between roadside breath tests and the Intoxilyzer, why refusing can trigger a 90-day license suspension, and why the famous "I only had two drinks" explanation never seems to work.
Shaun shares practical, real-world insight from both sides of the courtroom and explains why legal myths often sound better than they work in practice. If you've ever wondered whether refusing a breath test helps or hurts your case, this episode is for you.

Netflix's The Crash has reignited debate over one of the most controversial murder cases in recent memory. Did Mackenzie Shirilla intentionally drive her car into a building, killing her boyfriend Dominic Russo and friend Davion Flanagan, or was it a tragic act of reckless driving that prosecutors turned into a murder case?
In this episode of Both Sides of the Bench, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran breaks down the evidence, the law, and the defense strategy that continues to divide lawyers across the country. Shaun explains the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence, how prosecutors prove intent, why Hollywood's version of premeditation is often wrong, and why he believes the decision to waive a jury trial may have been the defense's biggest mistake.
Drawing on 21 years of courtroom experience and comparing the case to a fatal crash prosecution from his own career, Shaun examines the question at the heart of The Crash: When does reckless driving become murder?
Was the evidence enough to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt? And would twelve jurors have reached the same conclusion as the judge?
Join the discussion.