Media Contact
Karla Lárraga, CAIL Communications Officer - (972) 244-3436 or klarraga@cailaw.org
As Texas attorneys confront evolving challenges from AI to wrongful convictions, The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) is expanding its Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence programs statewide in 2025/2026, with sessions in Plano, San Antonio, Austin, and online. Supported by grants from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, this year’s lineup combines webinars and in-person courses in Plano, San Antonio, and Austin, addressing timely issues ranging from juror bias and prosecutorial ethics to wrongful convictions and the responsible use of AI in criminal defense.
“These programs are about more than professional development — they’re about strengthening the justice system itself,” said Shannon Evans, Director of CAIL’s CJAI programs. “By expanding educational opportunities for legal professionals across Texas, we’re addressing the urgent issues that affect people’s lives every day — from juror bias to wrongful convictions to the immigration consequences of state crimes.”
Spotlight on AI in Criminal Defense
CAIL is developing an ongoing course series exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and criminal defense practice. 2026 will mark the second consecutive year that CJAI has hosted speakers and delivered cutting-edge content on this topic. The goal is to help defense lawyers integrate AI responsibly and efficiently into their work, enhancing their ability to analyze evidence, manage cases, and advocate effectively for their clients.
2025/2026 Schedule
Sessions will be offered online and in-person at CAIL’s education center in Plano, TX, as well as at partner locations across the state:
- Oct. 16, 2025 – Stand Your Ground: Self-Defense in Texas (Webinar)
- Nov. 6, 2025 – Preserve & Protect: Criminal Appeals (Webinar)
- Feb. 13, 2026 – Digital Defenders: Using AI to Strengthen Your Case (Plano)
- March 4–6, 2026 – Picking a Life-or-Death Jury: Capital Voir-Dire (Plano)
- April 10, 2026 – Prosecutorial Ethics: Navigating the Grey Areas (San Antonio)
- April 22, 2026 – DNA on Trial: What Judges and Lawyers Need to Know (Austin)
- May 21–22, 2026 – 20th Annual Actual Innocence: The Fight Against Wrongful Convictions (Plano)
- Aug. 6, 2026 – Strengthening Texas Capital Defense: Strategy, Skills, and Case Development (Plano)
- Aug. 20, 2026 – Collateral Damage: Immigration Consequences of State Crimes (Plano)
The full CJAI programs schedule, along with program details, speakers, and registration information, is available here. For program inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, contact Shannon Evans at sevans@cailaw.org or 972-244-3415.
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About the Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence Programs at The Center for American and International Law - Established in 2003 and supported by grants from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, The Center for American and International Law's (CAIL) Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence (CJAI) programs are focused on advancing justice and reducing wrongful convictions through specialized training for defense attorneys, prosecutors, and other justice system stakeholders. Through seminars, workshops, and expert-led sessions, CAIL’s CJAI programs address critical issues in criminal justice, fostering a deeper understanding and promoting the highest standards of practice. For more information, visit www.cailaw.org/Criminal-Justice.