BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//National Association for Public Defense - ECPv6.13.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:National Association for Public Defense
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://publicdefenders.us
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Association for Public Defense
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250808T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250808T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250804T192329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T194529Z
UID:10000430-1754661600-1754665200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Defending While Drowning: The Urgent Need for Self-Care in Public Defense Investigation
DESCRIPTION:Public Defender Investigators are the quiet backbone of the justice system—relentlessly seeking truth\, advocating for fairness\, and shouldering the emotional weight of other people’s crises. But what happens when the people doing this critical work are overwhelmed\, burned out\, or emotionally depleted? This presentation confronts the reality many investigators face: the feeling of drowning while still trying to defend. We’ll explore the psychological and physical toll this demanding role can take\, the professional and personal consequences of neglecting self-care\, and practical\, accessible strategies for protecting your well-being. This is not about adding more to your plate—it’s about learning how to stay afloat\, stay effective\, and stay human in a system that too often forgets the humanity of its helpers. \nSharronda Wheat\, J.D. is a Public Defender Investigator II at the Office of the Public Defender in Contra Costa County. A proud Bay Area native born and raised in Oakland\, California\, Sharronda brings deep regional insight and a steadfast commitment to justice to her work. She holds a Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University\, College of Law\, along with a Certificate in Mediation from The Congress of Neutrals. Sharronda also earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration\, with an emphasis in Corrections and a minor in Sociology\, from California State University\, East Bay. With a strong foundation in law\, investigation\, and conflict resolution\, she is dedicated to serving her community and advocating for equity within the criminal justice system.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/defending-while-drowning/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/08/Defending-While-Drowning-Inv-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/defending-while-drowning/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250804T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250804T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250618T181919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250803T125557Z
UID:10000335-1754316000-1754319600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The Power of Stories in Justice
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is an introduction to the techniques Michael Ahn uses in his work consulting litigants on the use for story in our cases. \nHumans use stories to make choices and justify actions. This is especially true in criminal justice cases\, where participants – especially jurors – undoubtedly rely on stereotypes and unconscious bias as they hear arguments and testimony\, and review evidence. These powerful story dynamics impact the outcome of the case. \n\nHow are cases and trials like a story?\nHow can you structure your case like a story?\nWhat is the “epiphany” and why is it so powerful?\nWhat kinds of bias do jurors tend to have?\n\nMichael Ahn is a trial narrative consultant who helps public defenders and social workers use story techniques in mitigation and trials. Since 2016\, Michael has consulted on hundreds of cases\, with an 80% success rate\, including acquittals on five trials where the client was facing a life sentence.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-power-of-stories-in-justice/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/06/PowerStories-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-power-of-stories-in-justice/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250728T223125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T223125Z
UID:10000422-1753876800-1753880400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:A Conversation Between Lori James and Cessie Alfonso
DESCRIPTION:Lori James is the Executive Director of the National Association for Public Defense\, a social worker and mitigation specialist\, who started her career as a social work intern under Cessie Alfonso’s supervision. Lori has served as mitigation specialist in many high profile cases where her work resulted in a positive outcome for her clients. Cessie Alfonso is a forensic social worker and long-time advocate opposing the death penalty who has had her papers archived at Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America\, at Harvard Radcliffe Institute. These two amazing powerhouses of public defense will have a conversation that is a do not miss event! \nLori James\, LCSW-C is a dynamic leader\, educator\, and clinician with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice\, training\, organizational development\, and leadership. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and her B.A. in Social Work from Morgan State University. Lori is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work at Tulane University School of Social Work\, deepening her lifelong commitment to transformative leadership and justice-centered practice.\n\nLori’s expansive career includes program development\, program management\, collegiate instruction\, and leadership and management training. She has served as faculty at several universities and has been a sought-after trainer and consultant in national and regional leadership\, communication\, and team-building programs. Previously\, she was a part-time Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Studies and Community Development at Towson University.\n\nLori formerly served as the Director of Leadership and Program Development at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender\, an agency with over 800 employees statewide. In that role\, she led the agency’s social work division—including staff\, consultants\, and interns—and was instrumental in developing internal leadership and team development initiatives that fostered growth\, collaboration\, and mission-alignment across the organization. Lori is also a certified John Maxwell Coach\, Speaker\, Trainer\, and Facilitator\, bringing a values-based approach to her work in both justice and nonprofit systems.\n\nA published author and respected thought leader\, Lori has received numerous accolades\, including being named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record—first in 2015 and again in May 2025\, in recognition of her continued excellence and impact.\n\nCessie Alfonso is a forensic social worker\, domestic violence prevention and responder\, and organizational development consultant and activist. The founder and president of Alfonso Consultants\, Inc. which provides psychosocial assessments to clients of civil and criminal attorneys throughout the United States and abroad\, she trained and worked as a social worker and has collaborated with civil and criminal defense attorneys nationally and internationally for more than three decades to provide psychosocial assessments and other social work support to their clients. During the course of her work\, she and her colleagues have undertaken more than one thousand mitigation investigations.\n\nSince 1986 Cessie has consulted on over 700 capital cases\, often testifying as an expert in the penalty phase of those cases. A first-generation Caribbean American\, Alfonso has conducted mitigation investigations in Cuba\, Columbia\, El Salvador\, and Puerto Rico\, and regularly leads training sessions on domestic violence\, cultural competency\, among other topics. Alfonso attended Montefiore School of Practical Nursing (LPN 1965)\, Hood College (BA 1973)\, and Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work (MSW 1977). A member of the Combahee River Collective\, she is an activist who marched against the Vietnam War\, for civil rights\, and women\, lesbian\, and gay rights. In 2008 she was recognized by Governor Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey as a leading mitigation specialist who significantly contributed to the abolition of the death penalty in the state. In 2017 she was part of the Truth Commission on Poverty in New York State\, organized by the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/a-conversation-between-lori-james-and-cessie-alfonso/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Lori-Cessie-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/a-conversation-between-lori-james-and-cessie-alfonso/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250729T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250729T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250613T160014Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250702T184307Z
UID:10000328-1753790400-1753794000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:First 1\,000 Days of Life and Implications for Future Health and Behavioral Outcomes: A Neurocriminological and Nutritional Neuroscience Perspective
DESCRIPTION:The first 1\,000 days refers to a child’s life from day one of conception until the age of 2. This is a unique period of opportunity when the foundations of ideal neurodevelopment\, growth\, and health are established. Problematic and traumatic experiences during the first 1\,000 days can have a lifelong effect on health and well-being\, including increased risk of future engagement in concerning and problematic behaviors. Targeted interventions during this period may play a vital role in reducing problematic behavioral\, emotional\, psychological\, social\, cognitive\, and physical health outcomes throughout the lifespan. This training introduces professionals to the research that supports the first 1\,000 days of life\, examines problematic factors and experiences that may occur during this critical stage of development\, and implications for future adverse health outcomes and problematic behaviors. Implications for intake\, screening\, intervention\, management\, and prevention will be discussed throughout this training. Insights from the fields of neurocriminology and nutritional neuroscience will be incorporated throughout. Empirically based research findings are highlighted throughout this training. \n\nJerrod 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 is also the founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). 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)\, intellectual and developmental disabilities\, confabulation\, suggestibility\, sleep disturbances\, serious and persistent mental health disorders\, 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 Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Dyslexia\, 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 also holds a wide range of professional certifications and has completed several comprehensive training programs. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops\, webinars\, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters\, and previously 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 and has appeared in two documentaries related to the topic of FASD. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/first-1000-days/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/06/first1000days-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/first-1000-days/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250707T211748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T230936Z
UID:10000347-1753452000-1753455600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: The Gideon Blueprint: Innovating On-Prem AI for Public Defense
DESCRIPTION:The Gideon Blueprint: Innovating On-Prem AI for Public Defense\nThis session explores the full arc of building a secure\, on-premises AI system tailored for public defense work. From research and cost comparisons to the decision to avoid cloud-based risks\, we’ll walk through the practical and ethical motivations behind developing “Gideon\,” our internal AI system. You’ll learn how we selected and tuned large language models\, navigated technical and organizational pitfalls\, and integrated the system into real-world defense workflows. We’ll cover current capabilities\, limitations\, and where we are headed next. This is a transparent\, behind-the-scenes look at what it took to build and lead AI innovation in the public defender space \nRobert Thies\nSenior Investigator\, Federal Public Defender – Eastern District of Missouri \nBased in St. Louis\, Robert Thies is a Senior Investigator with nearly 30 years of experience in criminal defense. He leads AI innovation for the Federal Public Defender’s Office and is the project lead for GIDEON\, a secure\, locally hosted platform supporting case analysis\, discovery review\, and legal strategy.  Robert is a national resource on AI use in defense settings and has authored internal policies\, conducted hands-on training\, and advised offices across the country. He holds an AI Prompting Certification from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and is the author of The Algorithm\, a novel about AI and the justice system\, due out in 2026. \nHe enjoys playing pickleball\, snowboarding\, and keeping bees. \n  \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-the-gideon-blueprint-innovating-on-prem-ai/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/AIGideon-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-the-gideon-blueprint-innovating-on-prem-ai/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250724T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250724T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250126T225657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250702T175837Z
UID:10000278-1753365600-1753369200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Defending a Shaken Baby Case
DESCRIPTION:Shaken Baby Syndrome has led to a number of wrongful convictions throughout the years. SBS cases were heavily litigated in the 1990s and early 2000s before they seemed to trail off. However\, over the past five or so years we have seen a resurgence in the use of SBS as a theory of Prosecution as it has now been rebranded Abusive Head Trauma. While the labels have changed the underlying theories have stayed the same. In this presentation we will discuss SBS/ AHT cases and the Triad that is used to arrive at the Hypothesis. You will learn the false assumptions underlying the SBS/ AHT Hypothesis. We will also discuss the types of Experts you need to consult in order to develop a successful defense. \nAndre Vitale (Jersey City\, NJ). Andre has served as a public defense lawyer for over 25 years as a trial lawyer\, training director\, educator\, and mentor. He currently works as the First Assistant Deputy Public Defender with the Essex Trial Region of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Andre previously served as a Special Assistant Public Defender and Training Director with the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office (Rochester\, NY) and as the Assistant Training Director with the King County Department of Public Defense (Seattle\, WA). Andre has extensive trial experience taking more than 100 cases to verdict\, while handling some of the most complex matters. He has developed an expertise in defending homicide and sex cases\, with a proficiency in contesting forensic and other technical evidence\, including DNA\, fingerprints\, CSAAS\, and eyewitness identification. Andre authored an article: Fighting Racial Prejudice through Suppression Litigation\, which was published in July 2021 edition of the CHAMPION
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/defending-a-shaken-baby-case/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/01/ShakenBaby-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/defending-a-shaken-baby-case/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250723T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250723T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250714T152759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T192356Z
UID:10000411-1753275600-1753279200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:July 2025 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP
DESCRIPTION:DEIJ Advocates\, \nJOIN US our July 2025 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP! Charles Fox\, Jr.\, M.A.P.P. (he/his/him) will lead us with his presentation – Bending the Arc: Navigating DEIJ in Public Defense Amidst Hostility & Misinformation. \nA timely presentation indeed! Don’t miss this meetup! It is the last meetup before NAPD takes its Annual Defense Rest for the month of August! Come connect with us and get inspired to continue in the fight. \nThe meetup flyer\, agenda\, speaker bio\, and Zoom link will be posted on the listserv. \nNot on the listserv? Want to join us? Send your request to be added to the DEIJ listserv to BGT\, DEIJ Coordinator\, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us. \n  \nSee you soon\, DEIJ!
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/july-2025-edition-of-the-deij-meetup/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/DEIJ-Meetup-2025-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250712T172133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T172133Z
UID:10000410-1752760800-1752764400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Supervisor Discussion: Hiring & Coaching
DESCRIPTION:When the team works well together and is a good fit\, the work gets done effectively and successfully\, fulfilling all team members. How do we hire the right staff and coach to their strengths and to the strengths of the team? That will be our discussion starting point this week during our Social Worker Supervisor Discussion. \nFacilitated by Stephanne Thornton and Kevin Bishop. \n  \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion-hiring-coaching/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/SW-Supv-coaching-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion-hiring-coaching/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250708T211737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T212508Z
UID:10000348-1752760800-1752764400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The Defender Wellness Collective: Monthly Meetup for Public Defense Wellness
DESCRIPTION:The Defender Wellness Collective is a monthly gathering designed to support public defenders and others in the public defense community in maintaining their well-being. This meetup provides a space for reflection\, connection\, and practical strategies to help mitigate burnout\, manage stress\, and build resilience in a demanding profession.\n\nThese meetups will occur the third Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm EST | 11:00 am Pacific.\n\nCorey Dewayne Smith is a United States Army JAG Corps veteran who has transitioned into criminal defense social work and leadership training. He is passionate about developing others and volunteers with several organizations that provide support and resources to leaders. As a nationally recognized speaker on leadership\, multidisciplinary team building\, and professional development\, he is committed to helping leaders and their teams overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-monthly-meetup-for-public-defense-wellness/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Defender-wellness-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-monthly-meetup-for-public-defense-wellness/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250716T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250716T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250711T172719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T172719Z
UID:10000409-1752667200-1752670800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Work Meetup: New Things to Share About!
DESCRIPTION:Similar to our past “brag fest” meetups\, this meetup is your opportunity to share new mitigation strategies you’ve tried\, new work products\, interesting client meeting questions\, innovative ways you have advocated\, manuals or guides you have created\, new initiatives\, and whatever else you would like to share that would be new to the group! \nStephanne 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 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. \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-7-16-2025/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/SWMeetup-7-16-25-Sharing.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-7-16-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250512T015537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250702T175419Z
UID:10000316-1752580800-1752584400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Metabolic Syndrome among Justice-Involved Individuals: Implications for Mood\, Behavior\, Cognition\, and Physical Health
DESCRIPTION:A modern-day epidemic and daunting public health challenge\, metabolic syndrome is a constellation of cardio-metabolic risk factors\, including high blood pressure\, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol\, high triglycerides\, central obesity\, impaired glucose tolerance\, and insulin dysfunction. The presence of metabolic syndrome drastically increases the risk of experiencing diabetes\, cardiovascular disease\, strokes\, and premature mortality. This is particularly true among those involved in the criminal justice system. Emerging research is also finding that metabolic syndrome has significant implications for mood\, behavior\, cognition\, and physical health. This training provides attendees with (a) an overview of metabolic syndrome\, (b) a review of the causes\, consequences\, and symptoms\, and (c) an exploration of interventions for metabolic syndrome among justice-involved individuals. This training highlights the importance of adopting multidisciplinary and integrated approaches\, characterized by collaborations with registered dieticians and licensed nutritionists\, psychogastroenterologists\, sleep specialists\, exercise specialists\, and other professionals. Such integrated care approaches (e.g.\, comprehensive screening and targeted holistic interventions) are crucial for improving short and long-term outcomes of justice-involved individuals with metabolic syndrome. \nJerrod 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 Dyslexia\, Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, 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 300 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/metabolic-syndrome-among-justice-involved-individuals/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/05/Metabolic-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/metabolic-syndrome-among-justice-involved-individuals/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250703T180531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T212359Z
UID:10000343-1752242400-1752242400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator meetup - Social profiler demo
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to an exciting month of guests for the month of July!  This is an a new tool for getting a feel for our witnesses and potential jurors too! \nSocialprofiler is a newly launched social media background check and research tool. Technology that analyzes Facebook\, X\, TikTok & Instagram to generate profile reports on an individual’s personal interests. \nOur social media screenings identify & categorize a person’s interests based on their social media actions\, allowing you to identify risks\, highlight red flags & anticipate compatibility issues. \nWith our AI mapping capabilities\, Socialprofiler cross-references anyone’s personal network of friends\, acquaintances & followers on Instagram\, X and TikTok so you can understand mutual relationships & network. \nYou can explore several report examples here:  https://dashboard.socialprofiler.com/report-examples
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-7-11-2025-social-profiler/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Inv-Meetup-SProfiler.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-7-11-2025-social-profiler/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250709T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250709T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250707T135343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T212242Z
UID:10000345-1752069600-1752073200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup - Open Chat
DESCRIPTION:Hi  investigators in a supervisory role\, \nit will be the second Wednesday of the month \, so let’s chat about how things are in your offices\, with your cases and clients. \nSee you Wednesday! \nJon
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/36302/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Inv-Supv-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/36302/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250703T172855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250703T172855Z
UID:10000342-1751979600-1751983200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP - July Edition
DESCRIPTION:Racial Justice Meetup – \nJoin us for the next edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP on July 8\, 2025 at 1 p.m. (est) / 12 p.m. (cst) / 11 a.m. (mt) / 10 a.m. (pst)! \nThis month Stan Hickman\, Esq. will lead our meetup in a presentation entitled Black & Seasoned! \nMeetup info and reminders will be provided on the Racial Justice Listserv. \nBe sure you’re there\, NAPD!
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/racial-justice-meetup-july-edition/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/RJ-Meetup-July2025-Flyer.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250702T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250702T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250623T201539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T201809Z
UID:10000338-1751457600-1751461200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Workers Meetup: Community Engagement and Community Resources
DESCRIPTION:This meetup will discuss the broad spectrum of community engagement and community resources: two sides of the same coin. Community resources are critical for an underserved client population in need of resources\, especially when they have gone without having this need met historically. But to link to community resources there is a degree of community engagement that must be undertaken. Does your office have a community engagement policy or aspiration? Is community engagement and learning about community resources part of the day-to-day work or ancillary to it? Are there ways in which you and your office are making community engagement measurable or quantifiable (e.g.\, a dollars and cents rationale for engaging with the community because it is a carceral alternative through community-based alternative sentencing)? Share your ideas and insights as well as what you are doing! \nStephanne 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 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/community-engagement-and-community-resources/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/04/Events-Icons-webinar-1-edited-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/community-engagement-and-community-resources/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250529T224028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T162453Z
UID:10000322-1750946400-1750950000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Theory Based Jury Selection
DESCRIPTION:Jury Selection is one of the most important aspects of developing a successful defense of your client. It is also an aspect many defense lawyers either find very challenging or don’t spend enough time preparing. We will discuss the importance of preparing and presenting an effective\, theory based jury selection. You will learn the types of questions to ask so that you can get the most information to enable you to make the best choices in selecting your client’s jury. We will also discuss the types of questions to avoid which provide little or insufficient information. \nAndre Vitale (Jersey City\, NJ). Andre has served as a public defense lawyer for over 25 years as a trial lawyer\, training director\, educator\, and mentor. He currently works as the First Assistant Deputy Public Defender with the Essex Trial Region of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Andre previously served as a Special Assistant Public Defender and Training Director with the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office (Rochester\, NY) and as the Assistant Training Director with the King County Department of Public Defense (Seattle\, WA). Andre has extensive trial experience taking more than 100 cases to verdict\, while handling some of the most complex matters. He has developed an expertise in defending homicide and sex cases\, with a proficiency in contesting forensic and other technical evidence\, including DNA\, fingerprints\, CSAAS\, and eyewitness identification. Andre authored an article: Fighting Racial Prejudice through Suppression Litigation\, which was published in July 2021 edition of the CHAMPION
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/theory-based-jury-selection/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/04/Events-Icons-webinar-edited.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/theory-based-jury-selection/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250618T190125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250618T191325Z
UID:10000336-1750856400-1750860000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:JOIN US for the June 2025 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP!
DESCRIPTION:DEI Advocates\, \nJOIN US for the June 2025 edition of the DEIJ MEETUP! \nKC (she/her/they/then) will lead a presentation and discussion entitled When Self-Care is Not Enough? A DEI-fatigue Discussion. Oh this is going to be good! \nYou definitely do not want to miss this meetup! The meetup flyer\, agenda\, and Zoom link will be posted on the listserv. Not on the listserv? \nSend your request to be added to the DEIJ listserv to BGT\, DEIJ Coordinator\, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us. \nSee you soon\, DEIJ!
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/join-us-for-the-june-2025-edition-of-the-deij-meetup/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250624T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250624T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250523T192207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T192207Z
UID:10000319-1750766400-1750770000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Pregnancy Criminalization: Leveraging Medical Expertise for Effective Criminal Defense
DESCRIPTION:The legal landscape surrounding pregnancy criminalization is worsening. Representing individuals whose pregnancy outcomes or healthcare decisions become the subject of a criminal or civil investigation requires attorneys to navigate complex medical and forensic evidence. In collaboration with Pregnancy Justice\, the leading legal advocacy organization defending the civil and human rights of pregnant people\, and Dr. Mishka Terplan\, Medical Director of Friends Research Institute and co-founder of Doing Right by Birth\, this webinar will provide guidance on how to challenge the misleading science on which these prosecutions are often based and share example case studies. \nMishka Terplan\, MD MPH FACOG DFASAM\nMishka Terplan is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His primary clinical\, research\, public health\, and advocacy interests lie along the intersections of reproductive and behavioral health. He is Medical Director at Friends Research Institute and adjunct faculty at the University of California\, San Francisco where he is a Substance Use Warmline clinician. He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Doing Right By Birth\, a non-profit that seeks to flip the script from drug exposure to early childhood development. Dr. Terplan has spoken at local high schools and before the United States Congress and is internationally recognized as an expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people who use drugs.\n\nEmma Roth\, JD\nEmma Roth (she/her) is a senior staff attorney at Pregnancy Justice\, a national legal nonprofit that advances and defends the rights of pregnant people. She provides criminal defense to people facing charges related to their pregnancies and also litigates civil rights cases related to reproductive rights and justice. She previously worked at the ACLU Women’s Rights Project\, where she brough impact litigation to advance the rights of women and girls in courts across the country. Emma served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Ronnie Abrams of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Emma received her J.D. from Yale Law School and her A.B. from Brown University. As a proud mother of two young children\, Emma brings both her personal and professional experiences to her representation of pregnant and parenting people.\n\nFikayo Walter-Johnson\nFikayo Walter-Johnson (she/her) is a social science researcher committed to transformative social movements. Prior to joining Pregnancy Justice\, she supported research on the long-term social and mental impacts of juvenile incarceration and worked as a paralegal with the ACLU’s Speech\, Privacy & Technology Project\, where she assisted attorneys on pressing First and Fourth Amendment litigation. As the Senior Research Associate at Pregnancy Justice\, she combines her knowledge of privacy\, free speech\, public health and social science research to advance pregnant people’s social and legal protections. Fikayo received her bachelor’s from the University of Chicago with a dual degree in Sociology & Public Policy and a specialization in Gender & Sexuality Studies.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/pregnancy-criminalization-leveraging-medical-expertise-for-effective-criminal-defense/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/pregnancy-criminalization-leveraging-medical-expertise-for-effective-criminal-defense/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250618T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250618T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250610T183624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T175132Z
UID:10000330-1750248000-1750251600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: Keeping Mitigation Themes Compelling
DESCRIPTION:We have talked in the past about mitigation themes and also referred to the John B. Meixner\, Jr. article\, “Modern Sentencing Mitigation” that includes an analysis of the most compelling themes with the best outcomes in federal sentencing. This social work meetup will look at themes we use and themes Meixner says are most compelling\, and we will talk about how to keep these themes fresh\, innovative\, and compelling each time. How do we create different narratives if we are using (seeing) the same themes? What do we do to not feel like our writing is in a rut? This will be a good discussion to get us all thinking innovatively and creatively! \nStephanne 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 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/swmeetup-keeping-mitigation-themes-compelling/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/swmeetup-keeping-mitigation-themes-compelling/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250616T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250616T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250113T221031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250114T013715Z
UID:10000267-1750078800-1750082400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Anosognosia: A Primary Reason for Treatment Noncompliance\, Medication Refusal\, Substance Misuse\, and Other Problematic Outcomes
DESCRIPTION:Anosognosia is a complex condition where a person genuinely lacks awareness or insight of the fact that they suffer from a disability\, disease\, or disorder. This lack of insight or awareness can extend to deficits that involve executive function\, emotions\, language skills\, judgement\, motor skill ability\, and memory. Anosognosia is distinct from denial\, as the symptoms of the person’s condition may limit or prevent thought processes that would enable the conscious choice of denial. Anosognosia has been observed among those with a history of traumatic brain injuries\, structural brain lesion\, neurodegenerative disorders\, schizophrenia and other serious mental health disorders\, and strokes. The consequences of Anosognosia can contribute to (a) treatment completion issues (b) higher relapse rates (c) medication noncompliance (d) poorer psychosocial functioning (e) anger\, aggression\, and violence (f) criminal justice involvement (g) homelessness\, and (h) increased utilization of crisis support services. Intended for professionals\, this training will examine the definitions\, symptoms\, causes\, and consequences associated with Anosognosia and its implications for justice-involved individuals. Tips\, strategies\, and solutions will also be discussed. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training. \nJerrod 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)\, intellectual and developmental disabilities\, confabulation\, suggestibility\, memory\, Miranda rights comprehension issues\, sleep disturbances\, trauma and other life adversities\, alexithymia\, executive dysfunction\, criminal recidivism\, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI)\, traumatic brain injury (TBI)\, and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Neuroscience and the Law\, Neuropsychology\, Dyslexia\, 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 300 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/anosognosia-a-primary-reason-for-treatment-noncompliance/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/anosognosia-a-primary-reason-for-treatment-noncompliance/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250612T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250612T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250519T041126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T041430Z
UID:10000318-1749736800-1749740400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Work Supervisors Discussion Meetup
DESCRIPTION:Social Work Supervisors Discussion – now monthly on Thursday at 2 PM EST/1 PM CST/12 PM MST/11 AM PST!\nThis month’s Social Work Supervisors Discussion meetup is on the topic of having difficult conversations\, giving feedback that inspires growth\, and how to develop and improve morale overall in the face of less-than-ideal circumstances. This discussion is for supervisors of social workers\, mitigation specialists\, social work interns\, and others being supervised in similar roles in defense-based offices. \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-supervisors-discussion-meetup-2-pm-est-1-pm-cst-12-pm-mst-11-am-pst/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-supervisors-discussion-meetup-2-pm-est-1-pm-cst-12-pm-mst-11-am-pst/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250611T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250611T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250611T145407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T145407Z
UID:10000331-1749650400-1749654000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup: 06-11-2025- Open Chat
DESCRIPTION:HI all\, \nSupervisors and lead investigators second Wednesday of the month is coming\, so let’s chat about how things are in your offices\, with your cases and clients. \nJoin us! \nSee you on Wednesday\, \nJon \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-06-11-2025-open-chat/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-06-11-2025-open-chat/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250610T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250610T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250606T195309Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T223953Z
UID:10000326-1749556800-1749560400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Racial Justice Meetup - June Edition
DESCRIPTION:Racial Justice Advocates\, \nIt’s time for another RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP of 2025! \n\n\nGuy Lang\, our Justice-Impacted Communities Coordinator\, will lead us in a Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month edition of the Advocating While Black: The Experiences and Perspectives of Black Men In Public Defense© presentation. \nIt’s going to be good. Don’t miss this meetup! Meetup flyer and agenda\, as well as the speaker bio\, will be posted on the listserv. \n\n\nNot on the Racial Justice listserv?  Send your request to be added to BGT\, DEIJ Coordinator\, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us. \nSee you soon\, DEIJ!
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/deij-meetup-june-2025-edition/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/06/RJ-Meetup-June2025-Flyer.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250530T170311Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T170836Z
UID:10000323-1749038400-1749042000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Work Meetup: Learn About Video Mitigation with Isacha Sandy
DESCRIPTION:At this week’s meetup\, Forensic Social Worker Isacha Sandy will share how she has created video mitigation in an accessible\, budget-friendly way to help humanize clients facing legal systems. This session will explore core principles of effective storytelling\, ethical considerations\, and creative strategies for working within limited resources. Isacha will highlight the use of video in sentencing advocacy\, family reunification\, and trauma-informed casework\, offering insight into how these tools can amplify client voice and context.\n\nAttendees will leave with a better understanding of how to produce compelling video content using accessible tools—no advanced technical background required.\nJoin us to see what cool things she has done and learn how to do it yourself!\n\nIsacha Sandy is a Forensic Social Worker with the Alameda County Public Defender\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-learn-about-video-mitigation-with-isacha-sandy/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-learn-about-video-mitigation-with-isacha-sandy/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250603T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250606T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20240917T202435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T200129Z
UID:10000222-1748944800-1749214800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:NAPD The Clarence Darrow/David Baldus Death Penalty College & Intellectual Disability Track
DESCRIPTION:June 3-6\, 2025.  Starting at 10 am on the 3rd and ending at 1 pm on the 6th. \nPricing before April 1\, 2024   $950 NAPD Members\, $1050 Non Members \nPricing April 2 and beyond  $1150 NAPD Members\, $1300 Non Members \nRegistration Deadline May 16th \nSee the current draft program with the agenda and confirmed speakers \nRoom Block at Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown/University Hotel $110 plus taxes and fees / May 13 deadline \nReservation Booking Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/IOWZI/G-DABA \nPhone Reservations:  call the Central Reservations Office at: 1-800-233-1234 and reference the NAPD June 2025 Darrow Baldus College Conference or Group Code: G-DABA \n \nParticipants 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. \nSmall 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 small \ner groups or plenary sessions for all participants. Evenings are primarily unscheduled\, allowing participants to explore all that Iowa City has to offer. \nThis unique training offers participants the choice of two intensive tracks: \n\nThe Traditional Track: Teams work collaboratively on their own pending cases\, focusing on the mitigation strategy for both the guilt/innocence and penalty phases of a capital trial. Solo practitioners without an active case are also welcome to attend. This track includes small group sessions that provide constructive feedback\, brainstorming\, and hands-on case preparation\, supplemented by lectures\, role-playing\, and strategy demonstrations.\nThe Intellectual Disability (ID) Track: Designed for those seeking advanced training on investigating and litigating intellectual disability claims\, this track equips defense teams with the tools needed to ensure no one with intellectual disability is executed. Participants will delve into the nuances of identifying and presenting evidence of ID\, guided by experts in law\, psychology\, and mitigation. This track is geared toward intermediate and experienced practitioners but welcomes beginners seeking to develop these essential skills.\n\nThe 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. \nIntensive Intellectual Disability Track  \nIntellectual disability is an absolute bar to the death penalty\, making this a necessary area of investigation in every capital case. There are no exceptions. \nThis 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. \nIt 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. \nIntellectual 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. \nThis 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. \nComments from past participants – \nWithout 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. \nThe 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. \nOUTSTANDING! Lifechanging information and access to experts \nI have been to many Capital trainings. this one has been one of the best for getting useful information relevant and applicable to our cases. \nThese 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. \nGreat 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. \nThis \nwas 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. \n \nNeed help with this registration process?  Watch this video.   \nNAPD Events and Cancellation Policy \nBy 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-clarence-darrow-david-baldus-death-penalty-college-intellectual-disability-track/
LOCATION:Iowa City Law School\, 130 Byington Rd\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52242\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/10/1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250530T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250530T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250527T213939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T215114Z
UID:10000320-1748613600-1748617200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: Inside the system from two perspectives - 5/30/2025- 2:00 ET\, 1:00 CT\, 12:00 MT\, 11:00 PT
DESCRIPTION:Inside the System pulls back the curtain on the justice system—taught by someone who’s worked both sides. Everything from arrests to courtroom battles\, real insight every future law enforcer or advocate needs. \nDyllan Leonard is a former police officer and current public defender investigator with over a decade of frontline justice experience. His unique dual perspective fuels a mission to educate\, challenge\, and inspire future justice professionals. \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-inside-the-system-from-two-perspectives/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-inside-the-system-from-two-perspectives/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250530T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250530T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250401T193005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250403T114152Z
UID:10000304-1748606400-1748613600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Litigating Racism: Incorporating Race into Legal Arguments
DESCRIPTION:Litigating Racism is a workshop that educates participants on the intersection of race and the criminal system. Advocates will be given the historical context of racialized oppression in the American criminal legal system. Understanding the historical context of racism will frame the lens through which each participant should analyze each phase of the criminal legal process and each actor in the criminal legal system (i.e.\, prosecutor\, police\, probation officer). \nFor example\, participants will be educated on police militarization and the occupation of police forces in black and brown communities. This information will then help frame how defenders should review criminal complaints and argue for their client’s release or when they argue motions during suppression hearings. Understanding the history of police occupation will help defenders reframe the narrative from “high crime neighborhood” to “highly policed community.” \nThis workshop does not only serve to educate and inform but also to teach practical skills. It is not enough to simply acknowledge racism in the context of the criminal legal system. Attorneys must argue that the system is racist. But how do you do that? This workshop examines how defenders can apply those principles in a practical way. Participants will learn how they can make arguments that incorporate race in their bail review hearings\, suppression hearings\, and trials. \nBethany Bonsu is a zealous public defender who has been practicing criminal defense for four years. Ms. Bonsu started her legal career at the New York County Defender Services\, where she represented hundreds of adults facing misdemeanor charges in Manhattan. She has since been a public defender in D.C. at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia\, where she represented juveniles faced with the most serious felonies and now Prince George’s County\, Maryland\, representing adults charged with felonies. Ms. Bonsu is also the 2024 recipient of the New Leaders in Advocacy Award presented by the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.Prior to her time as a public defender\, Ms. Bonsu was a law clerk at various national civil rights offices such as the ACLU\, DOJ\, and NAACP Legal Defense Fund\, to name a few. It was her time at those offices and her time at the New York County Defender Services\, where Ms. Bonsu was taught how to incorporate race into legal arguments. Since becoming a public defender\, Ms. Bonsu has incorporated race into nearly every aspect of her client’s criminal cases. Challenging issues such as police bias\, excessive force\, racial profiling\, and predatory police practices during interrogations. Ms. Bonsu received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/litigating-racism-incorporating-race-into-legal-arguments/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/litigating-racism-incorporating-race-into-legal-arguments/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250528T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250528T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250408T191827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T175905Z
UID:10000308-1748437200-1748442600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:An Exploration of AANHPI Month\, DEI\, & Public Defense
DESCRIPTION:The DEIJ and Racial Justice Meetups are happy to present its May 2025 webinar in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month. This presentation aims to raise awareness\, foster cultural understanding\, and explore ways to improve fairness in the public defense system for AANHPI groups. \nArlene Anderson is a Trainer with the Office of the Public Defender in Maricopa County\, Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice\, Magna Cum Laude\, and a Master’s in Criminology from Arizona State University. Arlene is recognized for her expertise in creating dynamic and impactful trainings for all levels of staff. Beyond her organization\, Arlene extends her knowledge and passion for learning to a broader audience.\n\n\nArlene is no stranger to NAPD and has been a speaker at various conferences and the DEIJ Meetup. She also is a member of the Racial Justice+ Committee and was a Get Rooted Roundtable Lead at the 2024 Racial Justice Conference.  Arlene also currently serves on the Board of Directors for NAPD.\n\nArlene brings a unique blend of expertise\, enthusiasm\, and empathy as a presenter\, making her a highly sought-after speaker and facilitator in her field.\n\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/an-exploration-of-aanhpi-month-dei-public-defense/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/04/ASP1-14-25-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/an-exploration-of-aanhpi-month-dei-public-defense/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250521T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250521T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250424T204620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T204704Z
UID:10000313-1747828800-1747832400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Work Meetup: Workflows\, with Aisling Jennings
DESCRIPTION:Workflows can be an impactful visualization of a process\, a road map\, and a way to identify bottlenecks\, system failures\, and breaks in support. This tool can make underused and complex processes accessible- especially when the process has little to no framework to start with. Developing workflows is a collaborative effort; the best workflows are usable by all members of a team\, regardless of role. Workflows are intended to evolve over time as we identify issues in the system and improve on the process.\n\nThe Mental Health Sentencing Alternative in Washington State is incredibly underused for a variety of reasons. There is not a codified process (unlike other sentencing alternatives) and my office struggled to get buy in with probation officers and service providers. Because of the lack of clear pathways\, attorneys were hesitant to use the MHSA. Through trial and error\, our office worked with our health department (WCHCS) to build framework for the process. This year\, our office has been meeting with other jurisdictions to share what is working or not working and why in our respective systems. While the MHSA process still has a long way to go\, the workflows are a significant step towards a more accessible alternative.\n\nCome learn about this specific workflow development and discuss how to extrapolate out the development of workflows to address the bottlenecks in your office!\n\nAisling Jennings is a Behavioral Health Specialist in Whatcom County\, Washington. She works on mitigation\, sentencing alternatives\, therapeutic court admissions\, and client support on both felony and misdemeanor cases.\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-2025-05-21/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-2025-05-21/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250519T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250519T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T151727
CREATED:20250114T011053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T143028Z
UID:10000268-1747659600-1747663200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:A Neurocriminological and Nutritional Neuroscience Exploration of the “Twinkie Defense”: A Look Back and Lessons Learned
DESCRIPTION:In The People v. White (1979)\, Dan White’s legal team employed a legal strategy that has since become widely known as the “Twinkie Defense.” Specifically\, his lawyers argued that White’s diet\, which included an over-reliance on unhealthy foods\, contributed to White’s diminished capacity at the time of the crime. White was ultimately found guilty of voluntary manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. In the decades since The People v. White\, research has reported correlational evidence that links unhealthy foods (e.g.\, fatty and sugary foods) to problematic behaviors like delinquency\, aggression\, and crime. In this innovative training\, attendees will explore critical questions about the role of nutrition in problematic behaviors. This will include a retrospective analysis of the case\, examinations of how diet may be linked to crime\, careful consideration of myths and controversies\, and explorations of potential implications for interventions. Other topics discussed in this training include Western diet\, cognition\, emotional dysregulation\, impulsive behaviors\, mental health conditions\, hormonal dysfunction\, gut dysbiosis\, central nervous system dysfunction\, blood sugar dysregulation\, nutritional deficiencies\, junk food\, excessive sugar consumption\, biological despair\, HPA axis dysregulation\, inflammation\, and sleep disturbances to name a few. Peer-reviewed research from nutritional neuroscience and neurocriminology will be highlighted throughout this training. \nTraining Objectives:\n• Provide a critical overview of the “Twinkie Defense”\n• Develop a working knowledge of neurocriminology and nutritional neuroscience research findings\n• Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy diets and their implications for mood\, behavior\, cognition\, and physical health\n• Explore the role of nutrition in problematic behaviors\n• Discuss how diet-focused interventions could decrease the risk of future behavioral problems \nJerrod 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)\, intellectual and developmental disabilities\, confabulation\, suggestibility\, memory\, Miranda rights comprehension issues\, sleep disturbances\, trauma and other life adversities\, alexithymia\, executive dysfunction\, criminal recidivism\, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI)\, traumatic brain injury (TBI)\, and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Neuroscience and the Law\, Neuropsychology\, Dyslexia\, 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 300 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/a-neurocriminological-and-nutritional-neuroscience-exploration-of-the-twinkie-defense/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/a-neurocriminological-and-nutritional-neuroscience-exploration-of-the-twinkie-defense/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR