Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
2026-06-24 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual, Virtual Event
This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical, working session—not a webinar. Together, we will:

Workshop active campaigns involving statutes, rules, budget advocacy, and administrative reforms.
Exchange model bill language, fiscal notes, one-pagers, and testimony templates.
Coordinate strategy on messaging, media engagement, coalition building, and storytelling from impacted communities.
Navigate ethics constraints, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.
Translate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive, data-informed advocacy.
Share tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.

How Sleep and Fatigue Shape False Confessions and Criminal Culpability
2026-06-30 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/how-sleep-and-fatigue-shape-false-confessions-and-criminal-culpability/
Description
Sleep disruption and the resulting fatigue are a universal human challenge, yet their impact on the outcomes of the criminal justice system is neglected or misunderstood. In this vein, emerging evidence suggests that sleep-related fatigue can undermine the fidelity of legal statements and increase confessions. Accordingly, this presentation addresses the prevalence of sleep disruption among subjects interacting with the criminal justice system, its impact on memory of victims and witnesses, and the role of sleep-related fatigue as a critical vulnerability factor for (false) confessions. Moreover, during sleep itself people can engage in violent or apparently criminal behavior. Even if such behavior occurs without conscious intention or memory, poor understanding of sleep disorders prevents proper determination of suspects’ culpability by legal actors. Therefore, this presentation also overviews parasomnias, sleep-related violence, and highlights critical elements of a valid ‘sleepwalking defense’. Applications of scientific principles are illustrated with references to case law, but also evidentiary and constitutional considerations.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand basics of sleep-circadian science and the impact of sleep and fatigue on memory, compliance, and stress
2. Identify and describe cases of parasomnia and sleep-related violence
3. Recognize legal scenarios that involve sleep disorders or sleep deprivation

Presenter Bio:
Dr. Zlatan Krizan is a behavioral scientist, author, and consultant on matters involving sleep and fatigue. He is a Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University where he directs the Sleep, Self, and Personality laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Iowa (2007) and has served as faculty at Iowa State University since then. Dr. Krizan has authored more than 80 publications, including an edited book on “Sleep, Personality, and Social Behavior”. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Justice, while he currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Research in Personality and an Associate Editor for SLEEP Advances. His work addresses the role of sleep and fatigue in performance and social interactions, with a particular focus on legal contexts and issues spanning investigation, interrogation, and criminal culpability. He consults as an expert with a variety of legal and investigative organizations and provides training on sleep and fatigue management in high-stake settings. He is an elected fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Society of Experimental Social Psychology, and the Future Policing Institute.

The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp
2026-07-09 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-10 14:00 - 15:00
Together, We Are the Culture
As we build this community, remember that culture is not imposed; It is grown.
“You are essential. You are worth sustaining.”
You’re not alone.
Let’s walk this road together, building a culture of wellness for everyone in public defense.

Link the NAPD 10 Principles of Sustainability

DEIJ/Racial Justice MeetUp featuring Guest Presenter
2026-07-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-11-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-12-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Details TBA. Meetup events are exclusive to NAPD members.

Lead Exposure and Criminality: A Forensic Neuroscience and Neurocriminological Perspective
2026-07-20 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/lead-exposure-and-criminality-a-forensic-neuroscience-and-neurocriminological-perspective/
Exposure to lead, a neurotoxin, can have devastating consequences on organ systems, including the brain and heart. For instance, lead exposure during the prenatal period and early childhood can impair the development of brain structures and functions (e.g., cerebral cortex and hippocampus). Consequences may include cognitive deficits (e.g., poor decision-making), learning disabilities, and behavioral problems (e.g., impulsivity) that can persist across the lifespan. These behavioral problems may manifest as aggression, delinquency, and other criminal behaviors. This link is supported by research findings, including (a) elevated crime rates among individuals with lead exposure and (b) associations between brain imaging data and criminal behavior. Designed for forensic mental health, criminal justice, and legal professionals, this innovative training offers an overview of the physical, cognitive, affective, and behavioral symptoms and consequences of lead exposure, particularly during prenatal development and early childhood. Participants will also gain an advanced understanding of the scientific literature pertaining to prenatal and postnatal lead exposure in relation to possible future problematic, concerning, dysregulated, and anti-social behaviors. Insights from cutting-edge forensic neuroscience and neurocriminology research will also be emphasized throughout the training to support critical learning objectives.
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., 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) and founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today. Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed six separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, 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. 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.

DEIJ/Racial Justice Meet Up
2026-07-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-11-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-12-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Details TBD

Reviewing Minor Records: Was it Child Maltreatment?
2026-08-25 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/84599314108?pwd=[REDACTED]
Description
Medical records can be intimidating and tedious for any criminal attorney or investigator to review, especially when it comes to possible child abuse. This session will be an overview of the various types of child maltreatment, as well as other medical conditions that mimic abuse.
Key areas on the body that are highly indicative of abuse and discrepancies to look for will be discussed, as things that you should consider when looking at the medical records. To make this presentation relevant and interesting there will be multiple case studies.
Learning Objectives

1. Be able to recognize common areas of the body that are highly suspicious for child abuse.
2. Know the different types of child maltreatment.
3. Identify children at a higher risk of abuse.
4. Recognize markings that are common with cultural healing practices.

Presenter(s)

Kahli Ellis MS, BSN, RN Forensic Nurse Expert
Kahli graduated in 2014 with a BSN from a small college in St. Louis, MO and has been a nurse since 2014. In 2017 she graduated with honors from Arkansas State University with a MS in disaster preparedness and emergency management. Kahli has clinical experience in pediatric and adult critical care, as well as public health. She is one of Godoy Medical Forensics’ child abuse experts.
