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JULY 2025
Learning to Listen The Quiet Skill That Wins in Court
When people think about what makes a good trial attorney, they usually picture someone who speaks well and is persuasive, confident, and sharp on their feet. That matters. But in my experience, what really separates someone in the courtroom is how well they listen. With clients, it starts early. You can’t assume the first thing out of someone’s mouth tells you the whole story. Sometimes, they’re nervous. Other times, they’re trying to say what they think you want to hear. And in some cases, they’ve never had anyone actually listen to them. If you don’t slow down and give them space, you’ll miss something important — not just for the relationship with the client, but for the defense you’re building. Listening plays a role in almost every part of what we do, but it’s especially key during jury selection. I’ve seen lawyers run through questions like a checklist. They’re polite and professional, but not paying attention to what the answers mean. When we’re selecting a jury, we’re watching how people react, not just what they say. Does their tone shift when we talk about law enforcement? Do they hesitate when asked if they can be fair? These aren’t just filler questions; they help us spot who might not be a good fit for the case. If someone reveals a clear bias, we can ask the court to excuse them for cause, which helps protect our client from the start. That kind of listening doesn’t come from theory or training videos. It comes from time in the courtroom, seeing what works and what doesn’t. You begin to notice what people are really saying, and sometimes, what they’re holding back. The more experience you get, the better your instincts get, but you’ve got to stay alert because every case is different.
If I had one piece of advice for younger attorneys, it would be that preparation matters, but so does presence. You must know your case inside out and think through how a witness might respond. But when you’re in court, look up, watch, and pay attention. You can’t react to an opening you didn’t hear. It’s the same during a trial when you’re cross-examining a witness. There are times when someone gives an answer that doesn’t line up with what they said before. If you’re only thinking about your next question, you’ll miss the shift. But if you’re tuned in, you’ll catch the hesitation, the change in tone, the subtle pivot. At that moment, you can press or pull back and wait for a better opening. At our firm, we spend a lot of time sharpening this skill. When you’ve tried as many cases as we have, you start to notice the patterns, like little shifts in language or tone that tell you something isn’t adding up. That kind of listening takes experience, but it also takes discipline. You must be willing to put down the script and trust what’s happening in the room. I’ve always believed listening is one of the most underrated parts of being a trial attorney. It’s not flashy. You don’t get credit for it in the moment, but it helps you read people, spot openings, and make decisions that can change the outcome of a case. Talking well might win someone over, but listening well is what wins trials.
–Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Retro Habits Make Modern Life (and Prices) Easier Budget Brilliance From a Bygone Era
Reinvent your leftovers. Gone are the days of letting food wilt in the fridge. Old-school frugal folks gave every last bite a second act. Roast chicken becomes broth. Rice gets turned into stir-fry. Stale bread transforms into French toast or bread pudding. Get creative! You’ll waste less and eat better. Choose cash over card. There’s something about handing over $20 cash that makes you think twice before spending it. Cash budgeting may feel outdated, but it’s one of the simplest ways to curb impulse buys. Envelopes marked for groceries, gas, or coffee dates give you a clear snapshot of your spending — and what’s left. No more senseless swiping! Save with secondhand savvy. Hand-me-downs were once a household norm! Today, thrift stores and vintage finds are trending again, and for good reason. Whether it’s clothing, furniture, or kitchenware, buying secondhand is kinder to your wallet and the planet.
In a world where you can have anything delivered in a day, it’s easy to forget that less can be more. But our grandparents and great-grandparents knew the art of stretching a dollar. These timeless frugal habits aren’t just budget- friendly; they’re resourceful and surprisingly satisfying. Ready to channel your inner penny-pincher? Let’s bring these throwback habits back to life. Mend it, don’t end it. Once upon a time, people didn’t just toss a sock with a hole. Instead, you sewed it right back up! No need to rush to the store — just a few basic mending skills can save you from countless unnecessary purchases. It’s also more empowering to fix something with your own hands than tossing it — not to mention much more eco-friendly. Master the magic of homemade meals. Fast food might be convenient, but cooking from scratch is where the real savings (and flavor) happen. Think soups from veggie scraps and hearty meals made from simple pantry staples. Not only does it cut costs, but it puts you in control of your ingredients and nutrition — a win-win.
So, channel some old-school genius and start living a frugal, intentional lifestyle!
WHEN PASSENGERS FACE DRUG CHARGES Understanding Constructive Possession
Proximity Problems We’ve seen cases where someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A friend may have stashed something without telling anyone, and now everyone in the car is under suspicion. In those cases, what you say, or don’t say, matters. If you’re ever in this situation, staying calm is the most important thing to do. Don’t try to explain, and don’t try to answer questions without a lawyer present. You have the right to remain silent, and you should use it.
Getting pulled over is stressful in any situation. But what if you’re just the passenger and the police find drugs in the car? In Texas, being along for the ride doesn’t automatically protect you. Under the wrong circumstances, you could be charged with possession, even if the drugs weren’t yours. Understanding Constructive Possession Texas law doesn’t only apply to the person holding the substance. If police believe you had access to the substance or knew it was there, they may try to charge you anyway. Prosecutors can still proceed with charges if someone had “constructive possession.” That idea is based on the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481, which defines possession as “actual care, custody, control, or management.” So, what does that mean for passengers? If drugs are in plain view or within your reach — in a glovebox, under a seat, or in a shared backpack — and police think you knew about them, you could be charged. But location isn’t enough. To move forward with a case, prosecutors must establish something called an “affirmative link” between the passenger and the drugs. That could include suspicious behavior, inconsistent statements, or other circumstantial evidence.
Being charged doesn’t mean you’re guilty, but it does mean you need someone who understands how to challenge the evidence. Just being in the car isn’t enough to convict you, but clearing your name takes the right defense.
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If you’re pulled over and an officer asks to search your car, it’s natural to freeze up. It’s a tough situation, and what you say in that moment can matter more than you think. But can police search your car without a warrant? In Texas, they can, but only under certain circumstances. They don’t get a free pass just because they pulled you over. The Constitution protects you from unreasonable searches. That right still applies when you’re in your car, but the rules work differently. Cars are mobile, and courts have made exceptions to the usual warrant requirements. One of the most common is consent. If you agree to let them look, that’s enough. You can politely refuse, and it’s within your rights to say, “I don’t consent to a search.” Probable cause applies in other situations. That’s when an officer believes there’s evidence of a crime inside your vehicle. That belief has to be based on more than a hunch; it might be the smell of drugs, something in plain sight, or a clear sign of illegal activity. In those cases, they don’t need consent or a warrant to search. Even things like nervous behavior or inconsistent answers during questioning can contribute to their decision, although those signs alone aren’t always enough to justify a search. There are other situations, too. If you’re arrested, police may search parts of your vehicle related to the arrest. And in some emergency situations, like when they believe evidence might be destroyed, a warrantless search may be allowed. What is the best thing to do during a stop? Stay polite. If they ask to search, you can calmly decline. If they search anyway, don’t argue or interfere — just pay attention to what happens, and talk to a lawyer afterward. Police searches get challenged in court all the time. Whether one was legal or not depends on the details, but knowing your rights in the moment can make a big difference and may help protect you later.
Do You Have to Let Police Search?
Your Rights During a Traffic Stop
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
Ingredients • 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. A Lawyer’s Best Tool
2. Old-School Habits That Will Save Your Wallet
Drug Charges and Passenger Rights
3. Texas Law and Car Searches
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
4. One Man’s Very Strange Appetite
Michel Lotito: The Man Who Ate an Airplane
Would you snack on a bicycle? How about a TV set or a shopping cart? Sounds completely absurd, but Michel Lotito — a French performer known to fans as “Monsieur Mangetout” (Mr. Eat All) — did exactly that. Although he certainly got attention, Lotito wasn’t just looking for it; his peculiar diet came from a rare condition called pica. People with pica crave non-edible objects, though very few act on these cravings. But Michel didn’t hold back. Doctors found he had an unusually strong digestive system and a thick stomach lining. These traits allowed him to safely digest things most people wouldn’t put near their mouths, let alone swallow.
entire Cessna plane, taking two years to finish every last nut and bolt. How did he do it without getting hurt? Carefully and one bite at a time. Michel chopped objects into tiny bits and sipped mineral oil to help everything slide down smoothly. Lotito’s feats earned him a place in the “Guinness Book of World Records,” but his true legacy is simpler: He got people thinking. Scientists, doctors, and everyday observers began to wonder how adaptable — and, frankly, strange — the human body can be. Michel Lotito passed away in 2007 at 57, but his legend lives on. A guy who casually munched on bicycles might seem easy to dismiss, but his “normal” shows us that reality is sometimes far stranger than fiction.
The list of items Lotito managed to consume is hard to believe. He once famously ate an
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