Prosecutorial Ethics: Navigating the Grey Areas
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Grant Staff: +1.972.244.3415
Registrar: +1.972.244.3404
E-Mail: mhooper@cailaw.org
Program Overview
Join us for a day in historic San Antonio for a rare traveling CLE that brings together prosecutors from across the state. This exclusive program will discuss the legal and ethical obligations of the State from top to bottom, covering what prosecutors need to know to seek justice and maintain the finality of the conviction. Topics also cover the most urgent ethical issues in wrongful conviction cases, including the duty to seek justice, disclose exculpatory evidence, and exercise prosecutorial discretion to prevent miscarriages of justice.
Participants will learn practical strategies for handling these dilemmas while maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system and the rights of victims in post-conviction. The program also provides updates on the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, with a special focus on Rule 3.09 – Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor.
This course is funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Topics will include:
- Understanding the Intersection of Prosecutorial Duties – Expand your knowledge of ethical and legal obligations, including the justice-seeking and disclosure requirements of Brady, Art. 39.14, Rule 3.09, and other duties as prosecutors continue to “wear the white hat” in Texas.
- Apply Strategies to Prevent Injustice – Learn practical methods for exercising discretion responsibly and reducing wrongful convictions, with a look at legal authority in an era shaped by new forensics and an increasing need for victim agency in a post-conviction space.
- Keep Updated on Professional Standards – Review recent updates to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, with focus on Rule 3.09 and what happens during the grievance process.
Schedule and Faculty
Program Chair
Matt B. Howard
Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office
Criminal Prosecution, Post-Conviction Habeas
Matthew B. Howard is the Director of the Conviction Integrity Unit at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. Board-certified in Criminal Law, Matthew has played a key role in numerous exonerations, helped establish national standards for post-conviction practices, and written influential work on forensic DNA litigation. His leadership ensures a thoughtful and practical approach to the ethical issues prosecutors face in wrongful conviction cases.
8:00 am - Registration Opens / Light Breakfast and Refreshments
8:55 am - Welcome and Introductions
Jennifer Martinez, Director, Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence Programs, The Center for American and International Law
9:00 am - The intersection of Brady, 39.14, 3.09 (60 min)
Matt Howard, Director of the Bexar County Conviction Integrity Unit
10:00 am - Break
10:15 am - Public Information, Privilege, and Prosecutors as Witnesses (60 min)
Meredith McIntyre and Nicole O’Connor, ADAs of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Civil Division
11:15 am - Ethical Disclosures and Motions in Limine (60 min)
- Lauren Glasscock, Director of the Bexar County Ethical Disclosure Unit
- Nathan Morey, ADA of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Appellate Division
12:15 pm - Lunch (provided)
1:30 pm - Presentation of Forensic Evidence (60 min)
Lynn Garcia, General Counsel for the Texas Forensic Science Commission
2:30 pm - Break
2:45 pm - The Ethics of Destruction of Evidence (60 min)
Lauren Zamora, ADA of the Bexar County Conviction Integrity Unit
3:45 pm - Break
4:00 pm - Cognitive Bias (45 min)
4:45 pm - Adjourn
Who Should Attend?
Attendance is limited to invited faculty, Texas prosecuting attorneys, and their personnel. Other registrations will not be accepted.
MCLE Credit
This course will be submitted to the Texas State Bar for 6 hours of MCLE credit, including 3 hours of ethics.
After the course, CAIL will apply for credit in California and New Mexico if requested. Attorneys in other states may seek credit through self-submission, provided that course materials and evaluations are not required.
Tuition Waiver Policy
To request an application for a scholarship or tuition waiver, contact Melissa Hooper at mhooper@cailaw.org.
Other Information
We will be using a third party platform to host this webinar/event. By registering for this event, your email address and registration information will be used by our webinar host to communicate with you about this event and other services.
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. Note: Free registrants must attend the program to receive materials at no cost.
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, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.
Privacy Policy
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