Law 401
Podcast Description
Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island.
IG/Bluesky/TikTok: @RWULaw
FB: facebook.com/RWULaw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/roger-williams-university-school-of-law
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on timely legal topics relevant to Rhode Islanders, covering areas such as infrastructure law, public policy, and government accountability. For instance, the debut episode discusses the Washington Bridge closure, exploring the legal, economic, and political ramifications along with issues of transparency and public trust.
Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island.
Facebook: @law401
LinkedIn, TikTok, X: @law401podcast
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on the Law 401 podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hassenfeld Family Foundation nor Roger Williams University School of Law.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.
In this episode, we examine grand juries in Rhode Island, institutions that play a powerful role in Rhode Island’s criminal justice system. When cases “go to the grand jury,” what really happens behind closed doors, and how does that influence public trust?
Joined by Professor Shannon Heery of RWU School of Law, we discuss how grand juries work, why they matter, and whether the system is living up to its purpose.
In this episode:
3:00 Why do grand juries exist and what role are they meant to play?
3:11 How federal and state grand juries differ in structure.
8:00 Breaking down the core purpose behind a grand jury.
11:12 What “probable cause” really means in practice.
14:38 The Fifth Amendment and its connection to grand jury proceedings.
15:35 What it’s actually like to serve on a grand jury.
23:15 Why grand juries often become the focus of news coverage.
30:27 The most common criticisms surrounding grand juries.
36:18 Which states rely most heavily on grand juries.
44:26 The biggest misconceptions on how grand juries work.
Resources
Professor Shannon Heery
https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/shannon-heery
What is a grand jury? DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/jm/jm-9-11000-grand-jury
“Understanding the grand jury ruling on Michael Brown’s death,” PBS NewsHour
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/understanding-grand-jury-ruling-michael-browns-death
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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