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: 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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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 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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Meetup Investigator - Open Chat
2024-05-31 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/template-meetup-inv-8/

Social Worker Meetup: The Components of Competency
2024-05-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-the-components-of-competency/
Black’s Law Dictionary defines competency as “Duly qualified; answering all requirements; adequate; suitable; sufficient; capable; legally fit.” But competency when related to our work as social workers, mitigation specialists, and sentencing advocates is not so cut and dry. Some jurisdictions have lengthy waits for competency restoration programs, and sometimes competency restoration seems arbitrary. This meetup will talk about how we become attuned to issues of competency, what happens when competency is raised by attorneys in the jurisdictions where we work, what our role is, and what happens afterwards. Bring your knowledge and experience to this 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.

Investigator Meetup: Open Chat
2024-05-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-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!
Come join us,
Jon

Richard Ramirez (aka the “Night Stalker”): A Neurocriminological and Forensic Psychological Perspective
2024-05-23 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/richard-ramirez-aka-the-night-stalker/
Richard Ramirez (aka the “Night Stalker”) was considered one of the most sadistic serial killers in American history. This training will examine the potential prenatal and postnatal neurobiopsychosocial factors that could have played a role in this case. Further, discussions will center on how neurobiopsychosocial information can be used to better understand complex criminal behaviors by using this case as an example. Implications for screening, intervention, and prevention strategies with current and future complex criminal cases will be explored through a neurocriminological and forensic psychological lens. This training is intended for educational purposes only and will not sensationalize any aspects of the crimes committed by this individual. Other related topics discussed throughout this training include crime scene behavior, problematic sexual behaviors, sadistic fantasy, prenatal and childhood trauma history, birth defects, poor parental and family modeling, attachment problems, head trauma, substance abuse, violent pornography viewing, satanic worshipping, animal abuse, and school problems to name a few. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training.
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.

DEI advocates, JOIN US our May 2024 edition of the DEIJ+ MEETUP!
2024-05-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for the May 2024 edition of the DEIJ meetup tomorrow, May 22, 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, Arlene Anderson. Arlene will lead our meetup in a presentation entitled An Exploration of AANHPI Month, DEI, & Public Defense.

Meetup materials and Zoom link will be shared on the DEIJ listserv the day of the event.

Are you a DEI professional or a member of your DEI committee and looking for community? Join our listserv by sending a request to BGT at brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.

See you there!

Social Worker Supervisors Discussion on Training
2024-05-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/sw-supv-training/
This supervisor discussion is for supervisors or social workers, sentencing advocates, mitigation specialists, dispositional advocates, social work interns, and others in similar roles being supervised in defense-based work. The topic this month is on training.
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).

Meetup INV - Tracers database demo
2024-05-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-tracers-database-demo/
The folks from Tracers have agreed to join our meetup this Friday to show us what their database can do.
Here’s their description:
Who We Are
Tracers is a premier data provider with 23 years of expertise. Tracers supplies
businesses with data and intelligence that are essential for success in the ever-involving information age.
Efficient Processes
Tracers reduces busy work, speeds up investigations and helps lower research costs. Proven, streamlined solutions that address your operational data problems, saving you both time and money.
Data
We manage one of the largest repositories of public and private data, with billions of records aggregated from thousands of different sources. Providing access to billions of records with more than 50 terabytes of data from over 6,000 different sources.
Come Join us,
Jon

Social Work Meetup: Collateral (Character) Letters of Support
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-sw-collateral/
This meetup will focus our discussion on collateral letters of support and what we use to shape them, how we request them, and what guidance, information, encouragement, or support we use in working with family, friends, community members, and loved ones who we ask to create collateral letters of support or character letters. If you have examples of something standard you use, please bring it to share!
Stephanne Cline Thornton, Social Work Training & Resources Coordinator
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 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.

Meetup Investigators - Open chat
2024-05-10 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-6/
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!
Come join us,
Jon
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 160 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 (www.lyonlegallogistics.com/).
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, Intellenet and numerous state and county public defender conferences. It is not unheard of for Jon to be invited back to conferences. Jon was most recently interviewed on “Public Defenseless” episode #99. Jon is the Creator/Webmaster for the internationally utilized website www.internetsleuth.net.
