The Clarence Darrow/David Baldus Death Penalty College & Intellectual Disability Track
2024-06-04 13:00 - 2024-06-08 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Iowa City Law School, 130 Byington Rd, Iowa City, IA, 52242, United States
June 4-8, 2024. Starting at 1 pm on the 4th and ending at noon on the 8th.
Pricing before April 1, 2024 $950 NAPD Members, $1050 Non Members
Pricing April 2 and beyond $1150 NAPD Members, $1300 Non Members
Need help with this registration process? Watch this video.
Scholarship Application – Due April 15
Current Draft of the Agenda
Room Block at Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown/University Hotel $107 plus taxes and fees / May 3 deadline
Link to reserve hotel room. Phone Reservations: call the Central Reservations Office at: 1-800-233-1234 and reference the NAPD 2024 Conference or Group Code: G-FNAG
Need help with this registration process? Watch this video.

Participants spend the week working on their own pending cases as well as learning from some of the most prestigious capital defense trainers in the country. Each day, participants engage in various learning activities, including small group sessions, lectures, role playing, and strategy demonstrations for guilt/innocence and penalty phases. Solo practitioners without an active case are welcome to attend.
Small group sessions are designed to provide constructive feedback and encouragement while also brainstorming the case and doing actual case preparation for the capital trial. These sessions are followed by lectures and demonstrations for smaller groups or plenary sessions for all participants. Evenings are primarily unscheduled, allowing participants to explore all that Iowa City has to offer.
The program is held in honor of the late Professor David Baldus, whose thorough, groundbreaking capital punishment research significantly impacted the death penalty defense community and legal community as a whole. Professor Baldus is best known for “the Baldus study,” cited by the United States Supreme Court in McCleskey v. Kemp, although his research extends far beyond.
Intensive Intellectual Disability Track
Intellectual disability is an absolute bar to the death penalty, making this a necessary area of investigation in every capital case. There are no exceptions.
This intensive training introduces participants to the nuances of investigating and litigating intellectual disability claims and features strategies for overcoming common barriers to identifying and effectively presenting evidence of ID. This course is geared towards intermediate and experienced capital practitioners. Beginners are welcome to attend, but the material is advanced.
It is our mission to ensure that no one with intellectual disability is ever executed. We are dedicated to equipping all members of the defense team with the tools needed to discover, investigate, and effectively litigate intellectual disability.
Intellectual disability can be difficult to detect. Often, clients go to great lengths to hide their disability due to shame and embarrassment, even when it can save their life. Unlike common stereotypes, those with intellectual disability cannot be identified based on their appearance or superficial interactions. Clients may appear “normal” in the context of school, work, family or when we first encounter them as the defendant in a capital prosecution. Education is crucial to overcome these stereotypes.
This training will offer the most up-to-date legal and scientific information concerning ID and provide hands-on opportunities to practice skills needed to screen effectively for ID. Students will learn how to work with mental-health experts and how to develop and provide the detailed life-history information needed for an effective evaluation. Instructors will include psychologists, lawyers, and mitigation specialists who are experts on the subject.
Comments from past participants –
Without question this was the best conference / educational trainings I have ever attended. The quality of the experts and the access that we had to them was unprecedented in my experience. The small group sessions were so helpful. I also love that this is not designed to be a one and done event. The opportunity to return and continue to work on cases is really helpful.
The ID conference played a major role in my ability to formulate a compelling, fact based motion as to my client’s ID issues and adaptive functioning deficits. It was also beneficial to be able to explain the various IQ tests, how they work, what they test for and how the Flynn Effect impacts standardized testing. I was able to compare and contrast those issues with the State and reach and the outcome of death being taken off the table.
OUTSTANDING! Lifechanging information and access to experts
I have been to many Capital trainings. this one has been one of the best for getting useful information relevant and applicable to our cases.
These were, by far, the most professional, relevant and motivating training sessions I have ever been a part of. My practice has already improved greatly, and I feel that I have tools I need as I transition into a capital practice.
Great location. I loved the student hosts. I felt this training was for people serious about the work and not just interested in traveling to a conference. Great opportunity to hear from experts and to gain insight from more experienced lawyers.
This was an INCREDIBLE conference. Every expert, attorney speaker, leader of our small groups, etc. brought so much knowledge, insight, and experience. It was packed with content–I filled up an entire notebook and sent daily emails reporting back to the team I was working on with information and to-dos immediately applicable to cases.
NAPD Events and Cancellation Policy
By registering for this training, I am affirming that today I am neither a prosecutor, nor attending this training with the purpose of aiding the prosecution of any criminally accused. I further affirm that I am dedicated to the ideals of the criminal defense practitioner, and am committed to the causes of effective and zealous defense of those charged with crimes, the protection and assertion of constitutional rights afforded the criminally accused, and the recognition and preservation of human dignity of those charged with crimes. I further affirm that my use of the information provided by this training will not be used by me in any manner which would impugn the above set out ideals.

Join us for the June 2024 edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
2024-06-11 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for the June 2024 edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 1 p.m. (est) / 12 p.m. (cst) / 11 a.m. (mt) / 10 a.m. (pst)!

We will be led by guest meetup speaker, Brittney Williams, LMSW-C. Brittney will lead our meetup in a presentation entitled Public Defense Practice with LGBTQIA+ Clients. Don’t miss this meetup as we celebrate PRIDE Month and honor both our LGBTQIA+ clients and colleagues!

Reminders and Zoom link will be provided on the racial justice listserv.

Are you a NAPD member and want to join the racial justice listserv? Email BGT at brittanygt@publicdefenders.us to be added.

Social Work Meetup: A Discussion About Testifying
2024-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-sw-testifying/
Do you testify in court cases as an expert or about mitigation at sentencing? Have you thought about what it might be like? This meetup will discuss the pros and cons, successes and pitfalls of testifying in court. Led by members of SAGE Mitigation (Sentencing Advocacy Group of Evanston) including founder, Betsy Wilson, this will be an enlightening, informative, and engaging conversation about testimony!
Betsy Wilson is a founder of the Sentencing Advocacy Group of Evanston, where she leads a multidisciplinary team of sentencing advocates and record specialists. SAGE conducts mitigation investigations in federal and state and capital, juvenile-life-sentence, and non-capital cases throughout the country. Betsy has been dedicated to capital defense and mitigation for her entire legal career and has conducted sentencing investigations in more than 120 cases, including more than 70 capital cases. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1998, she worked as a trial attorney at the New York Capital Defender Office representing clients in capital cases from arraignment through disposition. Betsy has developed expertise in mitigation investigations involving complex trauma, intellectual disabilities, mental illness, drug dependency, exposure to toxic substances and toxic environments, and gang affiliation. She spends an embarrassing amount of time tracking her airline and hotel status.

Supervisors, leaders and senior investigators
2024-06-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-supv-2024-06/
Please join us tomorrow for our monthly meetup, bring your concerns, issues and successes!
See you then!
Jon

Meetup Investigator - Open Chat
2024-06-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-investigator-open-chat-6-14/
Hey Investigators,
We understand how things can get stressful, and we’re here to make it better. Our meetup? It’s more of an open conversation—no strict agenda. It’s Friday, a perfect day to let off steam! Bring your complaints, quirks, and successes. Let’s hang out!
See you Friday,
Jon

Social Work Supervisors Discussion on Training Continued
2024-06-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-sw-supv-training-2/
The Social Work Supervisors Discussion will continue to talk about training this month, and possibly move into the realm of discussing caseloads and caseload standards, so be sure to join and contribute what’s happening in your space!
Facilitated by: Kevin Bishop, LCSW, Social Worker Coordinator with The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (CO); Michael E. Moore, LMSW, Social Work Supervisor with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice (NY); and Claudia Dunne, LICSW, Director of Social Work & Private Social Service Vendors, Youth Advocacy Division (YAD), CPCS (MA).

Ted Bundy: A Neurocriminological and Forensic Psychological Examination
2024-06-24 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/ted-bundy-webinar/
Ted Bundy kidnapped, raped, and murdered numerous women in seven states between 1974 and 1978. His crimes were so notorious that they are still being examined today. This training will critically examine his complex and complicated life and investigate the possible factors that may have contributed to him becoming one of American’s most well-known serial killers. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training. This training is intended for educational purposes only and will not sensationalize any aspects of the crimes committed by this individual.
Speaker –
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth fire setting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

Social Worker Meetup: What And How Are We Learning?
2024-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-sw-2-learning/
We talk about training for our jobs, but what are we learning in, on, and for the job? This meetup focuses on the topic of what and how we are learning in our job. Are you attending conferences? Reviewing materials in MyGideon? Participating in NAPD online courses? Reading journal articles or books? Learning from colleagues or clients? However you are learning, come talk about how (and what) you are learning on the job, for the job, and then share your resources!
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

DEI advocates, JOIN US our June 2024 edition of the DEIJ+ MEETUP!
2024-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
DEIJ Advocates,

JOIN US our June 2024 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP!

We will be led by meetup speaker, Amari Harris, Esq. Amari will lead us in a presentation – An Open Discussion about Identity, Culture, and the Law. Get ready to engage and brainstorm! Don’t miss this meetup!

The meetup agenda, speaker bio, and reminders will be posted on the listserv.

Be sure that you don’t miss a DEIJ Meetup (every fourth Wednesday of the month) or our discussions by adding our calendar to yours and joining the listserv.

Not on the listserv? Send your request to be added to the DEIJ listserv to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.

See you soon, DEIJ!

Investigator Meetup: Open Chat
2024-06-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-open-chat-7/
Hey Investigators,
We understand how things can get stressful, and we’re here to make it better. Our meetup? It’s more of an open conversation—no strict agenda. It’s Friday, a perfect day to let off steam! Bring your complaints, quirks, and successes. Let’s hang out!
I will resend the link to the meeting room the day of the event, for those who might be having difficulty in getting that information.
See you Friday,
Jon
Jonathan “Jon” Lyon, Investigator Resources Coordinator
Jonathan Lyon is currently the Investigator Resource Coordinator, past Member Support Coordinator and the national survey investigator for National Association for Public Defense. Since the pandemic he has led roughly 75 meetups for investigators both nationally and internationally. Jon is the president of Lyon Legal Logistics to help attorneys in and out of court with Discovery and technology and has assisted attorneys in multiple federal court jurisdictions. He is also a legal investigator for McClain Investigations. Jon began his investigative background working in a PI firm and then for 12 years for the Office of the State Appellate Defender of Illinois. His primary focus has been on post-conviction death penalty cases. In addition, Jon worked for LexisNexis as an award-winning national trainer of the CaseMap suite of software. He also worked for Lockheed Martin as a contractor supporting government attorneys and investigators with software and electronic discovery support needs. He is a Certified Defense Investigator through DePaul’s Center for Justice in Capital Cases and a Certified Trainer through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. He has taught at the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College, Cardoza, DePaul, Kent, Iowa, and University of Michigan law schools. He has also taught at the National Defense Investigator Associations Annual Conferences, National Association of Legal Investigators annual conference, National Association for Public Defense, The Innocence Project, NACDL, Federal Defender’s winning strategies conferences, Life in the Balance, American Society of Criminology, US Army, and numerous state and county public defender conferences. It is not unheard of for Jon to be invited back to conferences. Jon is the Creator/Webmaster for the internationally utilized website www.internetsleuth.net.

Join us for the July 2024 edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
2024-07-09 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for the July 2024 edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!

We will be led by guest meetup speaker, Guy Lang. Guy present on “Building Relationships and Partnering with Communities to Combat Racial Injustice. ” This is a meetup you definitely don’t want to miss this!

The meetup agenda, speaker bio, and reminders will be posted on the listserv.

Not on the listserv? Send your request to be added to the racial justice listserv to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.

See you there!

Social Work Meetup: Addressing Scarcity as a Mitigation Theme
2024-07-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-addressing-scarcity-as-a-mitigation-theme/
This week’s meetup will focus on scarcity (poverty) as a mitigation theme. This topic can include so many approaches from how scarcity relates to social determinants of health, to lack of access and opportunity, to intergenerational lack of assets (and why), and more. Come share how you approach the topic of scarcity as a mitigation theme and make it meaningful and compelling to the finders of fact.
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

Investigator Supervisors Meetup: Open chat July
2024-07-10 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/82381950121
Supervisors, leaders and senior investigators,
Please join us, this Wednesday for our July monthly meetup, bring your concerns, issues and successes!
See you then!
Jon
If you want to join our listserv(s) please email me: jlyon@publicdefenders.us

Investigator Meetup: Open chat
2024-07-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-240708/
Hey Investigators,
We understand how things can get stressful, and we’re here to make it better. Our meetup? It’s more of an open conversation—no strict agenda. It’s Friday, a perfect day to let off steam! Bring your complaints, quirks, and successes. Let’s hang out!

Social Worker Supervisor Discussion
2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisors-meetup-supv-discussion/
Last month we continued talking about training and then moved into caseload standards and the topic became a jumping off point to talk about social work roles in the office, how to manage time and bandwidth when caseloads are crushing, how to educate attorneys on all of the activities that we and our supervisees do. We didn’t get to clinical supervision so we’d like to get started this time talking about clinical supervision and see where that leads us. We’ve heard that there are a lot of you who are alone in the office or alone as supervisors. Come join the conversation and get access to important articles, forms and resources.
Facilitated by: Kevin Bishop, LCSW, Social Worker Coordinator with The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (CO); Michael E. Moore, LMSW, Social Work Supervisor with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice (NY); and Claudia Dunne, LICSW, Director of Social Work & Private Social Service Vendors, Youth Advocacy Division (YAD), CPCS (MA).

Investigator Meetup: Combatting AI – Identifying and Challenging AI Applications in Law Enforcement W/ Giselle Pomereau esq.
2024-07-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/ai-le/
Combatting AI – Identifying and Challenging AI Applications in Law Enforcement
Giselle Pomerleau, Litigation Technology Attorney, Office of the Federal Defender for the District of New Jersey, Camden, NJ
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days and law enforcement is no exception. This session highlights what to look for and addresses three emerging issues related to AI: (1) credibility (e.g., what if law enforcement use AI to profile a driver and then create a pretext for a traffic stop); (2) reliability (e.g., when AI is used as evidence or starting point of investigation, how do we use Daubert?—think ShotSpotter); and, (3) admissibility and authentication (e.g., how to deal with possibility of deep fakes).
Giselle Pomerleau, Esq. is the Supervisor of Training and Litigation Support for the Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey, where she has been since 2010. She is a frequent presenter on the impact of technology trends in criminal defense practice. Giselle has also taught e-discovery management strategies and implemented e-discovery management training programs within her office. She focuses a large part of her practice on complex, high-volume cases with technical elements. Giselle has also previously taught in the Criminal Justice department at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For the month of August, we will not be having any meetups, so next week we will be having 2 meetups! Next Wednesday 7/24 for international investigator day, Giselle Pomerleau will be talking about Body worn Cameras and what things to pay attention to about them. Then on Friday 7/26 Prabhas Pokharel from Reduct will be talking about some very cool tools involving body cams as well! I hope you can join us for both sessions.

DEI advocates, JOIN US our July 2024 edition of the DEIJ+ MEETUP!
2024-07-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
DEI Advocates,

JOIN US our July 2024 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP!

We will be led by meetup speaker, Joyce Akhahenda, Esq. Joyce will lead us in a presentation – Cultivating Allyship Within Your Public Defense Office. Get ready for another great DEIJ Meetup experience!

The meetup agenda, speaker bio, and reminders will be posted on the listserv.

Be sure that you don’t miss a DEIJ Meetup (every fourth Wednesday of the month) or our discussions by adding our calendar and joining the listserv.

Not on the listserv? Send your request to be added to the DEIJ listserv to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.

We can’t wait to see you soon, DEIJ!

Investigator Meetup: Body Worn Cameras: Are We Really Seeing Everything?
2024-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-body-worn-cameras-are-we-really-seeing-everything/
Across the country, police departments are increasingly using body-worn cameras to better monitor what officers are doing in the field. Reliance on this technology requires knowing exactly what this technology can and cannot do. This session will provide an overview of body worn cameras—what they are, how they work, tips and tricks for efficient video evidence review, spotting signs of video tampering or manipulation, legal strategies for obtaining discovery, and how to challenge the use of this evidence in your cases.
Giselle Pomerleau, Esq. is the Supervisor of Training and Litigation Support for the Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey, where she has been since 2010. She is a frequent presenter on the impact of technology trends in criminal defense practice. Giselle has also taught e-discovery management strategies and implemented e-discovery management training programs within her office. She focuses a large part of her practice on complex, high-volume cases with technical elements. Giselle has also previously taught in the Criminal Justice department at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Investigator Meetup: Audio /Video review & Body worn cameras
2024-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/audio-video-review-reduct/
There has been a massive increase in the volume of audio/video evidence that public defense teams have to scrutinize in the digital age. There aren’t enough hours to review it all, and traditional transcription services are slow and costly.
Thankfully, technology is here to help! See how AI-based tools are helping public defense teams save time, achieve better case outcomes, and collaborate more efficiently.
We’ll show you how you can:

Transcribe and manage hours of audio and video evidence
Review, search, and analyze evidence to narrow down to the important moments
Analyze evidence from multiple body-worn cameras recording the same event
Translate from one language to another
Create video exhibits to bring evidence to life in court

All using tools that are as simple as Google Docs to use.

Prabhas Pokharel is the co-founder of Reduct.Video, and a believer that stories are fundamental to being human. His work is dedicated to helping people discover and tell powerful stories.
A self-described “human-centered technologist,” Prabhas graduated with a Computer Science degree from Harvard University and did his Masters at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University. He previously worked in the social sector with organizations like UNICEF and Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

Social Work Meetup: Tuesday Meetup on Where Have the Forensic Experts Gone
2024-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-training-resources/
In this special Tuesday edition of our Social Work Meetup we are going to discuss where have all the forensic experts gone (and now what does your team do)! Have you found a more limited access to/supply of forensic experts available to evaluate your clients for competency and other matters? If so, what are you doing to prevent your clients from languishing due to a dearth of qualified professionals? Come to this meetup to discuss ideas and workarounds to help address the need for forensic experts!
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

Streamlining Justice with AI (Sponsored by NICE)
2024-08-01 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
The volume, velocity, and variety of digital evidence is growing at an exponential rate. As a public defender, digital evidence is essential to the work you do every day, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage. In this webinar we’ll explain how Digital Evidence Management solutions, powered by AI, are helping to streamline evidence analysis and trial preparation, and reduce backlogs and delays.
Thursday, August 1 at 3 pm Eastern/Noon Pacific
Register to attend to learn what AI is and how it works, about future applications of AI in criminal defense, and how you can leverage AI-powered Digital Evidence Management today to:

Cut case preparation time, costs, and reduce case backlog
Make previously unsearchable evidence types searchable, using Object Character Recognition (OCR)
Uncover hidden connections to ensure you’re not missing any evidence
Automate transcription of audio and video, and quickly redact it, using automated face detection
Bridge the understaffing gap

Register Here »

Presenters

John Rennie, General Manager, NICE Public Safety & Justice
Shelly Williams, Director of Product Management, NICE Public Safety & Justice
Ryan Lommel, Solutions Executive, NICE Public Safety & Justice

Social Work Meetup on Working With Older Adults
2024-08-07 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-older-adults/
This social worker meetup will discuss how we advocate for older adults intersecting with the criminal legal system. Whether it is through case management, mitigation, or other advocacy, this population requires a different approach and cognizance of neurocognitive disease and other age related disorders. Come discuss your experience, challenges, and insights in working with and advocating on behalf of this group of clients!
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

We the Defenders (for all but the social work track)
2024-08-12 12:00 - 2024-08-15 13:00 (America/New_York) | Wayne State University, 471 W Palmer Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
This August 12 – 15, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan at Wayne State University, one of the top research and community engagement centers in the country with a focus on holistic defense, NAPD will bring together the pivotal workers in defense-based systems. “We the Defenders” is the essential conference for public defense investigators, mitigation specialists, social workers, paralegals, and other core staff – all roles except attorneys – who play a critical role in defense-based work. Development opportunities, networking, collaboration, and sustainability are woven into the various workshops, small groups, plenaries, and sessions at We the Defenders. This is a celebration of the diversity, skill, and dedication that you bring to the public defense community and an acknowledgment that every member of the team is vital. We hope to see you in Detroit!
Pricing before June 17, 2024, $595 NAPD Members, $695 Non Members
Pricing June 18 and beyond $645 NAPD Members, $745 Non Members
July 29th registration deadline
Need help with this registration process? Watch this video.
Scholarship Application – Due June 1
Check out the current schedule – still developing
We know you may need to convince someone else to approve you joining us. Check out our Convince Your Boss Resources for a sample letter and other information.
Limited Hotel Room block rates available at Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown
We will provide transportation from the Hotel to the Conference and back again each day via via the Art Bus
From past participants
The NAPD “We The Defenders” conference is a “Must Attend Event!” I’ve attended twice (Indianapolis 2017 & Albuquerque 2023), and each time I walk away with new resources, new ideas, new contacts and a renewed sense of enthusiasm to share what I learned with co-workers and excited to implement knowledge gained to better assist my clients! It’s inspiring to meet others who are also “TEAM DEFENSE!” We stand together and make our voices heard!
‘WTD’ has ignited a fire in me to be more actively involved overall. I certainly want to attend everything NAPD has to offer. Until the next time I attend, I will take advantage of any opportunities provided to increase my knowledge in mitigation to better serve our people. Learning never stops in my book! Thank you NAPD for this feeling of empowerment.
My first NAPD conference and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I returned to work inspired and rejuvenated – I didn’t even realize I needed rejuvenating. It was wonderful to be in a sea of professionals who do the same work I do. I felt seen and heard, especially when discussing some of the challenges we face. It was a wonderful conference, and I am happy I went.

We the Defenders (Social Work Track - CEU Purchase)
2024-08-12 12:00 - 2024-09-06 13:00 (America/New_York) | Wayne State University, 471 W Palmer Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Content is protected.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Considerations
2024-08-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd-criminal-justice-forensic-mental-health-and-legal-considerations/
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopment disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. This spectrum of disorders is characterized by deficits in cognitive (e.g., inhibition, information processing, and memory) and adaptive functioning (e.g., communication skills, problem-solving, and decision-making). These symptoms place some individuals with FASD at risk for involvement in the criminal justice system. Once involved, individuals with FASD usually struggle to make legal decisions, participates in their legal defense, and conform to conditions of incarceration or community supervision. Designed for professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings, this training broadens awareness of FASD and identifies practices and techniques designed to improve outcomes when working with persons with suspected or confirmed FASD. Other topics discussed in this training include executive dysfunction, suggestibility, confabulation, gullibility, auditory processing deficits, alexithymia, theory of mind (ToM), sluggish cognitive tempo, comprehension deficits, sleep disturbances and fatigue, information processing deficits, choice-making deficits, abstract reasoning deficits, memory confusion, self-regulation deficits, and sensory processing limitations to name a few. Empirically based research findings and case study examples will be highlighted throughout this training.
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. Email: Jerrod01234Brown@live.com

Social Worker Supervisors Meetup: Discussion on Performance Standards and More
2024-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisors-meetup-discussion-on-performance-standards-and-more/
This month’s Supervisor’s Discussion will carry forward the conversation of establishing performance standards, growing in the practice, systems of accountability with supervises, and how to track caseloads and the work that is happening on cases.

Social Work Meetup and a Discussion of Peer Navigator Roles
2024-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-peers/
This week’s meetup will discuss peer navigator roles, which offices have peer navigators, how peers are utilized as part of the team, and what special expertise peers bring to this work. The role of “peer navigator” can be broad to include directly impacted persons previously involved in the criminal legal system, to persons in recovery from substance use disorder, to parents with lived experience in the family regulation system – and more! Come join the discussion!
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

Social Work Meetup: Research Swap!
2024-09-04 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-research-swap/
We all rely on research or data sets to help us in our mitigation development, so let’s have a research swap! Bring a pdf or link to some of your favorite research articles that you use to help bolster your mitigation work and share them in the chat! Extra appreciation for those who share the links/pdfs and talk about what the research shows and how you used it!
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.

Team Mitigation Institute - Seattle
2024-09-06 12:00 - 2024-09-08 14:00 (America/New_York) | Seattle University School of Law, 901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
Mitigation created by a team of professionals in non-capital cases is increasingly becoming the standard of practice. This bring-your-own-case institute is designed for defense teams to work on the mitigation for a non-capital client. The institute is a mix of presentations followed up by small group work facilitated by experienced faculty. Participants are encouraged to come with their defense team (attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, mitigation specialists and other sentencing advocates). However, if all of your team members are unable to attend, sole participants are also welcome.
Small groups will be assigned to promote discussion among teams handling similar types of cases (i.e., offense charged, juvenile or mental illness). In addition, some teams will work on cases where clients have a realistic chance of diversion while others may work toward reducing the term of incarceration for clients.
Pricing before July 15, 2024 $450 NAPD Members, $600 Non Members
Pricing July 16 and beyond $550 NAPD Members, $700 Non Members
August 16th registration deadline
We know you may need to convince someone else to approve you joining us. Check out our Convince Your Boss Resources for a sample letter and other information.
Apply for registration fee scholarship here Scholarship deadline August 1.
We have a hotel room block with the Silver Cloud Hotel Broadway for $229 per night plus taxes and fees. Book your stay here or call 206 325 1400 and ask for “NAPD 2024 Team Mitigation” group rate. Deadline Aug 15 or when rooms in the block run out.
See the current draft of the schedule
Please review NAPD Event Policies regarding attendance and cancellations
Need help with this registration process? Watch this video.

Investigator Meetup: Open Chat
2024-09-06 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-open-chat-6/
