Lawyer You Know with Peter Tragos

Law School, What Like It’s Hard?

Episode 85: Law School, What Like It’s Hard?

This week, we’re joined by special guest JD Patel, a former law clerk at our Tampa firm, to discuss all things law school. Tune in as we breakdown the most common law school questions like what to major in, what law school is like, how long is law school, how hard is it, what schools are the best, how to get on the right track and much more. If you’re considering law school, this FAQ episode is jam packed with lots of great insight.

Episode 84: Impeachment

In this week’s episode, we talk about impeachment. Learn about where it comes from, what the process is, as well as which presidents have been close to impeachment or were actually impeached.

Impeachment

Peter Tragos discusses the constitutional requirements for impeachment.

Episode 83: Presidential Pardons

On today’s episode, the Tragos Law team explore the issue of presidential pardons. Find out what presidential pardons are, where they come from, and whether or not there are any limits on who can be pardoned.

Episode 82: Natural Disasters

On today’s episode, we kick off hurricane season in Florida by talking to the Deputy Fire Chief of East Lake’s Fire Rescue about the emergency and evacuation procedures when a natural disaster such as a hurricane poses a threat to local residents. Tune in to learn all about what the procedures are, how it works, why you should follow them, and what happens if you don’t follow evacuation procedures.

Episode 81: Child Protection Policy

This week’s episode is an important topic if you run a daycare, school, camp, church or events where volunteers deal with children and youths. Learn how to setup policies and procedures to prevent the abuse of children and to protect workers against false accusations.

Episode 80: Homeowners & Renters Insurance

Whether you rent or you own your home, it’s important to insure your personal property against theft and damage. This week, we talk to a Florida insurance expert about what exactly homeowners insurance covers, what it doesn’t, how much you need, how much it costs, and much more.

Episode 79: How To Start a Blog & Tips On Personal Finance

On this week’s episode of Peter’s Proffer, we interview special guest Andrew Giancola, a self-made personal finance blogger, to learn what it takes to build a successful blog.

Episode 78: Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 4)

In this final episode of our 4-part series on serial killers, we break down and discuss the Netflix film "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" based on Ted Bundy's life, murders, trial, death penalty and more.

Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 4)

Peter discusses the Netflix movie about Ted Bundy "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" in part 4 of the Serial Series. 

Episode 77: Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 3)

This week, we have an exciting episode to continue our 4-part series on serial killers. Tune in as we interview special guest Larry Simpson, the lead prosecutor who tried and convicted serial killer Ted Bundy in Florida back in 1979, to talk about the specifics of the trial and answer listener questions about the case.

Episode 76: Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 2)

In this week’s episode of Peter’s Proffer, we’re excited to sit down with longtime WFLA-Ch. 8 investigative reporter Mark Douglas. As one of Tampa’s most veteran muckrakers for the last 40 years, Mark has spent a career exposing government corruption, finding government waste and helping put criminals behind bars. Tune in to listen to our conversation with Mark about a serial killer he covered for over 30 years as well as how media frenzy can impact the investigations and trials surrounding t...

Episode 75: Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 1)

In this first episode of our 4-part series on serial killers, we interview a former FBI agent who specialized in catching serial killers for over two decades. Barbara Madden still works as a private investigator in the Tampa area and was personally involved in the capture of notorious American serial killer John Joubert, who was convicted of murdering three boys in Maine and Nebraska.

Serial: Tragos Law Edition (Part 1)

Host Peter Tragos begins the Serial series, by sitting down with an FBI agent to discuss how they try and catch serial killers. 

Episode 74: Personality Tests

This week on the podcast, we interview Don Rice, a certified StrengthsFinder coach and enneagram expert to talk about how to use personality tests to gain a deeper understanding about yourself and your relationships — both at home and in the workplace.

Episode 73: Public (Government) Housing

In this week’s episode of Peter’s Proffer, we dive into the nitty gritty when it comes to Section 8 government housing — including what it is, how people qualify for low-income housing benefits, what the requirements are, and more. Get answers to common questions from both landlords and tenants.

Episode 72: Sentencing Guidelines

How does criminal sentencing work? Tune into today’s episode of Peter’s Proffer to learn about who sets sentencing guidelines (state vs. federal) and what the guidelines are in Florida. This popular listener-asked question is the next step after the podcast we did a couple weeks back (Episode 70: Plea Deals).

Episode 71: Student Loan Forgiveness

In response to presidential candidates like Elizabeth Warren proposing student loan forgiveness programs, the Tragos team explores what plans are being proposed and how they might play out in America.

Episode 70: Plea Deals

You don’t want to miss this week’s podcast as Peter Tragos, Peter Sartes and George Tragos discuss what plea bargaining is, what you can bargain for, when you should (and shouldn’t) accept a plea deal, and possible wrongful convictions due to abuses of the plea deal system.

Plea Deals

Peter Tragos discusses plea agreements that prosecuting attorneys make with criminal defendants.

Episode 69: Bail & Bonds

The Tragos team tackles frequently asked listener questions about bail: What is bail? How is bail set? What factors are considered? Do wealthy defendants have a higher bail than low income defendants? Are there cases where bail isn’t an option? All this and much more in this jam packed episode of Peter’s Proffer.

Episode 68: Focus on the Family - An Interview With Jim Daley

In this episode of Peter’s Proffer, we're joined by special guest Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family is an international Christian communications ministry based in Colorado. Listen to hear about the ministry’s story, mission, and an exciting upcoming event in New York City.

Episode 67: Wills and Trusts

Who needs a living will and why? When should you make your will? What needs to be included? In today’s action-packed episode of Peter’s Proffer, we interview Clearwater estate planning attorney Christina Green Rankin to get her expert advice on the world of wills and trusts.

Episode 66: Surviving R. Kelly

In light of the controversial new documentary series about R&B singer R. Kelly’s alleged sexual and predatory sexual behavior toward women, we talk about what it’s like to represent a celebrity client, including picking a jury and other criminal defense topics.

Episode 65: Local Entrepreneurs (Part 2): Kevin Schlenker, CEO of Skar Audio

Tune in to the second half of our two-part series featuring local business success stories. In this episode, we sit down to chat with Kevin Schlenker, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and CEO of a thriving Tampa car audio sound system company, to learn about his story (including dropping out of UCF business school), his background, and how he built his company from the ground up.

Episode 64: Local Entrepreneurs (Part 1): Restaurant Owner Nick Pappas

This week's show is the first in a two-part series featuring local entrepreneurs — starting with restauranteur Nick Pappas, owner of the Flamestone American Grill in Oldsmar, Trinity and multiple other Florida locations. In this episode, Nick describes what it takes to start a restaurant and be successful. He also shares a little about his personal background, failures and upcoming ventures.

Episode 63: Smollett and Kraft: Celebrity Scandals

In today’s episode, Peter Tragos, Peter Sartes and George Tragos give their take on the recent celebrity scandals in the news regarding Jussie Smollett and Robert Kraft. Join us as we discuss the legal implications, what we think might happen next, what ripple effects these scandals might have nationally, and much more.

Episode 62: Intellectual Property

What are patents and trademarks? When do you need them and how do you get them? What do you do if someone accuses you of infringing on their patent? Peter Tragos and Peter Sartes are joined by Pinellas County, FL patent attorney Brittany Maxey to get the answers.

Episode 61: Fyre Festival Fraud

In this episode, Peter Tragos, George Tragos and Peter Sartes dive into pop culture by talking about the Fyre Festival scheme, as well as the documentaries released about it. They discuss the legal consequences of fraud, the dangers of social media, the latest in the Fyre Festival case, and much more.

Episode 60: Military vs. Civilian Law

In this episode, Peter Tragos and Peter Sartes sit down with Alan Fowler, a former active duty U.S. Navy JAG officer and a current Lieutenant Commander in the Navy JAG Corps Reserves, to talk about the differences between military and civilian law. Fowler is also a criminal defense lawyer down in Key West, and he shares some fascinating stories in the podcast.

Episode 59: Work Injury Claims

What happens when you're injured on the job? Can you get fired for filing a workman’s comp claim? Peter Tragos is joined by special guest Dane Heptner, a leading Clearwater workers’ compensation lawyer, to answer the most common questions surrounding workplace injuries and accidents.

Episode 58: Death Penalty

Tampa criminal defense attorneys Peter Sartes and George Tragos discuss a topic they know a lot about: the death penalty. Learn what the death penalty is in Florida, where it originally came from, as well as where Sartes and Tragos personally stand on this controversial issue.

Death Penalty

Death Penalty

Episode 57: Government Shutdown

What is a government shutdown, exactly? Why does it happen? How does it impact federal workers? In the midst of the longest government shutdown in American history, tune in to the latest episode of Peter’s Proffer for answers to these listener-asked questions and more.

Episode 56: Undocumented Workers

This week, we discuss a piece of new controversial legislation that is being pushed, not passed, on undocumented workers in Florida, and what it means for employers in the Sunshine State.

Episode 55: Court Trials

What is a trial? Where do they come from? What is your right to a trial in criminal and civil cases? What happens if a case goes to trial? Listen to this week’s episode of Peter’s Proffer to get answers to these and other commonly asked listener questions about the trial process.

Episode 54: Texting and Driving (Update)

In this episode, Peter Tragos and Peter Sartes give an update on Florida texting and driving laws — including the possibility of harsher penalties being considered by the state Senate in 2019 as well as how other states approach the issue.

Episode 53: Uber and Lyft Accidents

This week, we tackle a frequently asked listener question: How do car accident claims change when it involves an Uber, Lyft or some other ridesharing service. What are the similarities and differences?

Episode 52: Victims' Rights Amendment

In this episode of Peter’s Proffer, George and Peter Tragos take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of Florida Amendment 6, the Marsy’s Law Crime Victims' Rights, Judicial Retirement Age, and Judicial Interpretation of Laws and Rules Amendment. The amendment was recently approved by voters in Florida's 2018 midterm elections. George explains his close involvement in the ballot measure.

Episode 51: Restoration of Voting Rights for Florida Felons

This week, we discuss Florida Amendment 4, the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative. What does it actually mean now that it passed and how does it differ from the old system? Clearwater attorneys Peter Sartes and Peter Tragos weigh in on this current event.

Episode 50: Florida Recount

In this episode, we’re joined by St. Pete real estate attorney Gordon Oldham to talk about the recent voter recount in Florida's November 2018 midterm elections. Gordon, one of the attorneys called to help oversee the recount, explains how the process works.

Florida Recount

Peter Tragos discusses the election laws impacting voting in Florida.

Episode 49: Background Checks

In today’s episode of Peter’s Proffer, we tackle several frequently asked questions about background checks — including what information can and cannot be obtained, the different types of background checks available and how to use the information received.

Episode 48: Double Jeopardy

Learn about one of the most misunderstood legal concepts. In this week’s episode of Peter’s Proffer, we discuss what double jeopardy is, where it comes from, what types of cases it applies to, and how it works in real life — not the movies.

Double Jeopardy

Double Jeopardy

Episode 47: What is a Hate Crime?

Tune into this week’s episode to learn about the definition of a hate crime in Florida and how it differs from other offenses. Under Florida law, protected personal characteristics include race/color, gender/gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, mental/physical disability and homelessness.

Episode 46: Squatters vs. Trespassers: What’s the Difference?

In today’s episode, we cover squatter’s “rights" in Florida, how to evict a squatter, what's considered trespassing under the law and much more.

Episode 45: Can I Sue?

When can you file a lawsuit? What does it take? Florida attorneys Peter Tragos and Peter Sartes take a deeper look at what you need to be successful in a lawsuit.

Can I Sue?

Peter Tragos offers insight into when a person can sue.