In a heated Republican race for the spot on the bench of the 159th District Court in Angelina County, Texas, you heard me interview Al Charanza.  Now it's turn for his opponent, Todd Kassaw to tell you why he's the better choice!  Make no mistake, they are both good men.  However, they do come from different legal backgrounds.  Mr. Charanza started his career in the JAG in the marines.  Mr. Kassaw was a well-respected personal injury lawyer.  Where they don't clash however, is over the devotion they both claim to bring to the bench if elected and their promise to serve to the best of their ability.  I know both of these find men personally, and I do believe they'll do what they say.  It's hard to choose, but please - go out and VOTE!  Your ballot counts!

A hot election is taking place in Angelina County to replace Paul White as the District Judge of the 159th District Court.  The position presides over felony cases in the county including the worst of the worst - murder trials, as well as civil cases involving millions of dollars!  Two men, both of upstanding moral turpitude and active contributors in the local community, are vying for the position.  First we interview Al Charanza, a noted criminal defense attorney who has also handled a variety of cases both in private practice and in the Marine corp.  Listen in to Al who shares his qualifications as well as outlook on what it takes to rule from the bench in the heart of the Piney Woods.

Kevin Dutton shares the rewards and challenges of presiding as District Attorney over two east Texas counties, San Augustine and Sabine on the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn.  From a tiny office run on a meager budget to a full- blown department, he shares some of the growing pains he's experienced over the years, including the effects two years of COVID have had on crime in his communities.  This candid interview occurred literally as we stepped out of the courtroom during our lunch break from a full day in district court, hearing criminal arraignments and pleas. After many previous episodes interviewing defense attorneys and defendants, this one reveals the State's perspective, and all of the duties and obligations that go with it. 

Through childhood sexual abuse to a step-dad who suffered a broken back working offshore and then dying of brain cancer, Kayla May has lived through seemingly unsurmountable tragedies.  By escaping through drugs and older men, she found herself once  again the victim of domestic violence and facing felony criminal charges.  Kayla May discovered her peace, sobriety and a renewed faith in her Savior, in the sweet mentoring ladies of the Christian Women's Job Core Mosaic Program, and Judge White's Drug Court.  Now you'll find her living her dream life in the countryside with horses, chickens, and even a pet pig.  She enjoys her children and the love of her life who is also winning the battle against mental illness and drug addiction.  If you think there's no hope, listen to what Kayla May has accomplished!  You'll be amazed.

Meet Sean Hightower.  Sean was a member of the first graduating class of the brand new Texas A&M law school who came to practice law by way of a full ride debate scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University which is where coincidentally (?) he returned to practice law with his long-time mentor, Tim James.  The majority of his cases are first time DWIs with the college students.  He learned passing out koozies at the tailgate parties on campus boosted his business!  Sean has won many awards for his service but nothing beats receiving payment in the form of goats, chickens, tractors and tamales!  He wouldn't have it any other way.  His most memorable case to date involved a murder suspect who shot her husband through the eye as he doused her with gasoline.  Although the DA promised to dismiss the charge, eight years later, Sean was told to pick a jury, they were going to trial the next week.  He ended up losing that verdict, only to have it overturned on appeal because the Judge made some bad calls.  Not only that, but the State's prosecutor hid evidence which ultimately cost her her job.  It's the wild west in east Texas, where anything goes, but justice prevails!

An old soul who's seen it all, Chinta Spikes doesn't sugarcoat her tale of early childhood abuse from her mother, including beatings with an extension cord that made her bleed.  She went on to be involved in several marriages that only led to more abuse for her and her children.  A mixture of crack, alcohol and marijuana took her down a dead end path of lying, cheating and even stealing from her own children until one day, soaked in urine with a knife at her throat, she begged God to save her, show her a better life and put her in the company of those who could help her.  Amazingly it was in jail that she met her future mentor, Theresa Stribling, a kind hearted woman who held Bible Studies with incarcerated women.  Chinta told the Judge she wanted Drug Court, not residential treatment and not prison bars.  She admitted she needed help because her criminal actions were for one purpose only - to feed her and her husband's habits.  Freed from those chains of addiction, Chinta is now a happy wife and mother, attending college and giving the glory to God.  You'll be amazed at what she's endured and how she's come out the other side smiling!

Every defense attorney longs for that glory moment when he's cross-examining a key witness for the State, who admits on the stand, "Yes, I lied.  I made it up 'cause I'm crazy!"  and your client goes free! Jim shares these moments and many more.  (He calls them "Matlock experiences)  Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.  That's when criminal law can prove very entertaining.

He also reveals those cases, dear to his heart, that keep him going, loving his profession,  the ones that motivate him to keep the good fight day after day assuring that he truly makes a difference in the life of a client.

Politically, Jim declares himself a Libertarian, someone who upholds our Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, and believes on his best days, he's one who fights to ensure that no government takes away his client's God-given sovereign rights.  Although he is friends with many judges and prosecutors, he strongly believes that limiting government is in everyone's best interest.  When the criminal justice system allows criminals to be seen as real people, then our entire society climbs up a notch.

You can reach him on facebook, Jim Squyres, or contact his office located at 207 E. Frank St.,  Lufkin TX  936 633-7582

Brent Tanksley shares his own recovery journey as we explore the psychology of addiction.  Brent is a well known substance abuse counselor, or as he likes to put it, a substance use disorder, counselor.  He has worked with agencies such as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of East Texas, which covers several counties.  He has worked at the Cypress Residential Treatment Center in Woodville, TX,  Brent opened his own men's sober house in Lufkin, TX, and is currently the Program Dir. at Hughes Counseling working with individuals referred from the courts, probation, child protective services or people who voluntarily seek help and healing.  Please note the Hughes Counseling Center also treats individuals through couples counseling, grief and trauma counseling, co-occurring disorders and youth/family counseling too.

We dive deep into issues such as what is the root cause of addition?  Why or when does it actually start in life?  Is it an illness?  What does it take to heal?  What experiment did the Portugal govt. try to eradicate addiction, and other fascinating aspects of the psychology of addiction.