Capital Defense College
A Program For The Defense
-
Plano, Texas, USA
The Center for American and International Law
5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
Online registration is closed. Please bring your completed registration form to the door.
Registrar: +1.972.244.3404
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: cail@cailaw.org
Overview
Capital defense is the pinnacle of criminal defense work. This intensive program features a combination of lectures and demonstrations designed to give capital defense attorneys, mitigation specialists, and other team members the practical skills necessary to represent their clients every step of the way, from appointment to plea, and if necessary, to trial. Sessions will address motion practice, technology in the courtroom and more.
For this important seminar, the faculty has requested that the seminar room be an 'electronics-free' zone. There will be time on breaks to check texts, phone messages, email, etc.
This course is funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Download the Brochure (pdf)
For more details, download the online brochure.
Who Should Attend?
With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to defense attorneys and those who directly assist them in Criminal Defense Litigation.
Paralegals, investigators and mitigation experts of licensed Texas criminal defense attorneys who regularly represent indigent defendants in criminal matters in Texas state courts: you may register for this program at a reduced rate.
Agenda as of 3/20/15
Monday, March 23
12:15 pm
Registration
12:45 pm
Welcome & Introductions
1:00 pm
Why Do This Work?
- Andre Vitale, Special Assistant Public Defender, Monroe Co. Public Defender’s Office, Rochester, New York
2:00 pm
Understanding Resources
- Rick Wardroup, Capital Assistance Attorney, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Lubbock, Texas
2:30 pm
Break
2:45 pm
The Team As An Investigative Unit
- Sean O'Brien, Associate Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
3:30 pm
Team Communications
- John Holdridge, Attorney at Law, Athens, Georgia
- Anna Arceneaux, Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union Capital Punishment Project, Durham, North Carolina
4:30 pm
Break
4:45 pm
Team Structure & Dynamic
- Cyndy Short, Attorney At Law, McCallister Law Firm, Kansas City, Missouri
5:30 pm
Recess & Reception
Tuesday, March 24
8:30 am
Communication With Our Client, LEAP
- Steve Simring, M.D., M.P.H., General Adult & Forensic Psychiatrist, Tenafly, New Jersey
9:45 am
“Show Your Work”: Gaining Client’s Trust Through Action
- Danalynn Recer, Gulf Region Advocacy Center, Houston, Texas
10:30 am
Break
10:45 am
Understanding & Using Psychological and Psychiatric Experts For The Defense
- Ken Murray, Trial Project Director, Texas Defender Service, Austin, Texas
11:30 am
Litigating Briseno
- Anna Arceneaux, Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union Capital Punishment Project, Durham, North Carolina
12:15 pm
Lunch Presentation: Developing & Getting Resources For A Compelling Narrative (Includes 30 Minute Lunch)
- Jill Patterson, Professor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas
- Maxwell Peck, Assistant Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Amarillo, Texas
1:45 pm
Deconstructing McCluskey
- Gary Mitchell, Attorney At Law, Gary C. Mitchell, P.C., Ruidoso, New Mexico
2:45 pm
Ethics
- Kirsten B. Jacobvitz, J.D., Lecturer, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
3:45 pm
Break
4:00 pm
DNA, The New Statute
- John Wright, Assistant Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Terrell, Texas
4:45 pm
Winning Voir Dire: A Fresh Perspective to Capital Juror Selection
- Carlos Garcia, Attorney At Law, Austin, Texas
5:45 pm
Recess
Wednesday, March 25
8:30 am
The CSI Effect
- James Drummond, Assistant Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Burnet, Texas
10:00 am
Break
10:15 am
Update On The Law & Preservation Of Error
- Christi Dean, Assistant Public Defender, Capital Murder Division, Dallas Co. Public Defender's Office, Dallas, Texas
11:15 am
Attorney Self Care
- Rick Wardroup, Capital Assistance Attorney, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Lubbock, Texas
12:15 pm
Lunch Presentation: Our Client’s Family As A Resource (Includes 30 Minute Lunch)
- Tonya McClary, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, LaPlata, Maryland
1:45 pm
Motions Practice
- Maxwell Peck, Assistant Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Amarillo, Texas
2:30 pm
Defending Life: Lessons Learned from 29 Years of Capital Work
- Katherine Scardino, Attorney At Law, Houston, Texas
3:15 pm
Dangerous Minds: The State’s Future Dangerousness Expert
- Ray Keith, Assistant Chief Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Lubbock, Texas
4:00 pm
Break
4:15 pm
Dangerous Tactics: Dealing With Discovery Abuse
- E. X. Martin, III, Law Offices of E. X. Martin, Dallas Texas
- Lance E. Sloves, Certified Computer & Cell Phone Forensics Examiner, Computer Forensic Services, Inc., Dallas, Texas
5:00 pm
Mitigation
- Juandalynn Taylor, Ph.D., J.D., Mitigation Specialist, Taylor Advocacy Group, San Antonio, Texas
5:45 pm
Recess
Thursday, March 26
8:30 am
Streamlining Office Technology
- Philip Gommels, The Law Office of Philip M. Gommels, Houston, Texas
9:15 am
Winning The Unwinnable Case
- Joe Marr Wilson, Attorney At Law, Amarillo, Texas
10:00 am
Top Ten Tips
- Maxwell Peck, Assistant Public Defender, Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, Amarillo, Texas
11:00 am
Break
11:15 am
Anatomy Of An Execution
- Brad Levenson, Director, Office of Capital Writs, Austin Texas
12:15 pm
How Not To Do This Work
- Millard Farmer, Attorney At Law, Atlanta, Georgia
1:15 pm
Adjourn
CLE Credit
MCLE Credit
The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 25.0 hours, including 1 hour of ethics. Course ID Number: 901313863.
In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.
Overnight Accommodations
Hyatt Place Plano welcomes our guests attending Capital Defense College at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $92 plus applicable fees/taxes for 3/21/2015-3/27/2015.
Please make your reservations by 3/8/2015. As long as the reservation is made by this date, and the group block has availability, you will receive the group rate. Any reservations not received on or before this cut-off date are subject to hotel availability at the best available prevailing rate.
Booking Instructions
Book online at dallasplano.place.hyatt.com
Type in Arrival/Departure Dates
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CL37
or
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888.492.8847) or 972.378.3997
Dates available: 3/21/2015-3/27/2015
Mention the group name: CAILAW Capital Defense College
- A valid credit card is required to make reservations
- Tax Exemption Certificates and Credit Card Authorization Forms may be faxed to the hotel directly at 972.608.4427 prior to your arrival.
Testimonials
"Excellent quality; especially for establishing a foundation to begin Capital Trial. Essential before trying a death penalty case!!!"
-- 2013 Participant
Other Information
Cancellation Policy
Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials.
Nondiscriminatory Policy
The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.
Privacy Policy
We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.