Lawyers Without Billboards
Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis.
With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor).
Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity.
New episodes every two weeks
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Lawyers Without Billboards
Hearsay: What It Is and Why Courts Hate It | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep26
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What exactly is hearsay, and why do courts spend so much time arguing about it?
In this episode, the attorneys of Shewmaker & Lewis tackle one of the most confusing concepts in the legal world. They explain how hearsay is defined, why courts generally exclude it, and what makes certain out-of-court statements reliable enough to be admitted as evidence.
The conversation covers practical courtroom examples, the importance of cross-examination, common hearsay exceptions, business records, admissions by a party opponent, and the strategic decisions lawyers face when deciding whether to object.
Whether you're involved in a legal case, interested in trial strategy, or simply curious about how courts determine what evidence can be trusted, this episode provides a clear and entertaining introduction to the law of hearsay.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:28 What Is Hearsay?
04:22 Breaking Down the Legal Definition
06:12 Why Courts Distrust Hearsay
08:03 Jimmy, Porky the Pig, and a Hearsay Example
12:23 When Hearsay Comes In Anyway
15:07 Prior Statements and Witness Testimony
18:22 Admissions by a Party Opponent
22:22 Why Hearsay Exceptions Exist
24:08 Present Sense Impression
26:31 Excited Utterance
28:47 Business Records Exception
31:16 Real-World Courtroom Practice
32:31 Wrapping Up and Hearsay Part 2
🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/UyRn2v5SiuI or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA