National Association for Public Defense

Investigator Meetup: Open chat
2025-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-2025-02-28/
Investigators, we have had a bit of a break about we are back for our regular meetup! So, let’s chat about what’s been going with you and how things are with you, your office and client’s. I look forward in seeing you Friday!

Memory Phenomena and False Narrative Creation: An Examination of Suggestibility, Confabulation, and Source Misattribution in Criminal justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings
2025-03-10 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/memory-phenomena-and-false-narrative-creation/
This training will examine various memory phenomena that can cause false narrative creation and its implications within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings. In particular, three types of memory phenomena will be the main focus of this training: suggestibility, confabulation, and source misattribution. Suggestibility is a person’s predisposition to accepting inaccurate information as fact and incorporating this into memories of an event. In contrast, confabulation occurs when a person creates a new inaccurate memory of an event. Despite no deliberate intention to lie or deceive others, instances of suggestibility and confabulation can undermine everything from assessment and treatment to confessions and eyewitness testimony. For example, false information provided by a person during screening and assessment can contribute to missed or misdiagnoses, which contributes to inappropriate and ineffective treatment and intervention plans. Alternatively, false information provided during police interviews and interrogations or legal proceedings can result in false confessions, inaccurate eyewitness testimony, and wrongful convictions. Complicating matters, common techniques used during police questioning and cross-examinations like repetitive questioning and negative feedback only exacerbate the risk of these phenomena within forensic mental health and legal settings. The seriousness of these memory phenomena within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings warrants training in this area.
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), 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, 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.

Social Work Meetup: Getting Creative with Data and Tracking Outcomes
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-data-2025-03-12/
Data collection in our work is vital for funding, reporting to judges, reports to stakeholders, and expansion of our roles in our offices. What creative data are you measuring, and what outcomes are you tracking (and how)? Come to this discussion to talk about your data collection efforts, highlight your effectiveness and creativity with data, and share your data collection goals! Special Tuesday edition of this meetup!
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.

RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP - March
2025-03-11 13:00 - 14:00
Racial Justice Advocates,
It’s time to march into another RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
Tony White will join us again this year and lead a presentation entitled “Ensuring Equitable Access to Treatment and Recovery: The Role of Public Defenders in Connecting Clients with Substance Use Disorder Services.”
Let’s connect and learn together! Meetup flyer, agenda, and speaker bio will be posted on the listserv.
Not on the Racial Justice listserv? Send your request to be added to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.
See you soon, NAPD!

Defying DNA Results
2025-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/defying-dna-results/
This presentation is an introduction to the basics of serology and DNA analysis, along with specific topics that defense attorneys need to be aware of when defending cases involving this type of evidence.
Sam Spencer is the co-owner and founder of SEP Forensic Consultants, located in Memphis, TN. She has been in the field of DNA analysis since 2009. Beginning her forensic career as a Special Agent Forensic Scientist in the Forensic Biology Unit, Sam processed over 1400 cases for multiple agencies. She has experience with Y-STR analysis, Next-Generation sequencing, Probabilistic Genotyping, and outsourcing lab analysis. She has provided expert testimony for both the prosecution and defense in several jurisdictions, including at the federal level. Sam was also a member of the Violent Crime Response Team, which involved processing and documenting crime scenes for local law enforcement. Sam also has experience working outside of the field of forensics including working as a Molecular Diagnostic Technologist at the Greenwood Genetic Center and a Lead Research at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. An Army brat and native of Clarksville, TN, Sam currently lives in Memphis with her husband of eleven years, two boys, ages 5 and 8, and two dogs.

Investigator Supervisor Meetup: 3-12-2025 - Open Chat
2025-03-12 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/82381950121
Supervisors and lead investigators it’s the second Wednesday of the month so let’s chat about how things are in your offices, with your cases and clients.
Join us!

Direct Examination(Presenting an Effective, Compelling, and Persuasive Direct Examination)
2025-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/direct-examination/
Direct Examination is one of the more challenging areas for Defense lawyers to do properly. A Big part of that stems from the fact that we do it very often. Because we do it so often we end up copying Prosecutors who are not good at Direct Examination. In this program we will discuss how to present a compelling, effective, and dynamic cross examination. You will learn different formats for structuring your direct examination as well as ways in which to make it more interesting for your juries.
Andre 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 magazine, for the National Association for Criminal Defense’s (NACDL). Andre designed a Defending a Child Sex Case advanced trial skills program, which has been used by Public Defender Offices in Montana, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey. He is a core faculty member with Gideon’s Promise (gideonspromise.org), Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute Trial Advocacy Workshop (TAW), the Alternate Defense Counsel Trial Skills Program in Denver, Colorado, as well as the Defender’s Academy with the Bronx Defenders. Andre is a frequent presenter for the National Association of Public Defense (publicdefenders.us). Due to his passion and commitment to client–centered representation, Andre has received the Kevin Andersen Award by the New York State Defender’s Association (NYSDA) and the Denison Ray Award by the New York State Bar Association

In From the Margins: Recognizing and Appreciating Clients Narratives within the Family Policing System
2025-03-17 13:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/in-from-the-margins-recognizing-and-appreciating-clients-narratives-within-the-family-policing-system/
Stories matter – within every life, there is an existing narrative of resilience and survival. Acknowledging the life experiences of the clients as they navigate systems of oppression and racism is salient to zealous advocacy. The presentation will address the importance of listening to and appreciating the individual narratives of clients, particularly those critically impacted by the family policing system. Clients often feel they are secondarily victimized by being represented by someone who fails to recognize their humanity and usurps their voice. This lecture will examine the importance of the client’s narrative and how giving voice to the client’s experience can potentially positively impact their case.
Joyce Angela Hounkanrin, Esq. is the founding partner of Hounkanrin Legal Defense Group and works as private counsel for the Children and Family Law Division for the Committee for Public Counsel Services within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As founder ofHounkanrin Legal Defense. Attorney Hounkanrin actively works to deconstruct systems that are seeded in racism and oppression and that have critically impacted the lives of black and brown individuals. This mission is accomplished by purposely serving all clients and recognizing that the liberation of all people is the ultimate call of justice.
Joyce Angela Hounkanrin graduated from Massachusetts School of Law, holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and is a PhD candidate at Capella University.

Social Work Meetup: Social Worker Supervisor Discussion
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/87354448957
This meetup is for social work supervisors who supervise other social workers, mitigation specialists, dispositional advocates, sentencing advocates, and social work interns in defense-based offices. This week’s discussion will focus on what is your supervisory style. Whether you have it or are still developing it, what supervisory style do you possess or want to embrace, and how are you getting there?
This month’s discussion is hosted by Stephanne Thornton. 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.

NAPD Rise. Resist. Represent. Virtual Conference
2025-03-20 12:30 - 2025-03-21 17:30
Join thousands of public defense professionals from across the nation for the 5th Annual Rise. Resist. Represent. Virtual Conference—a landmark event dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and equipping public defenders to confront the challenges of our time. This year’s conference promises an unparalleled experience with cutting-edge sessions, impactful discussions, and meaningful connections.

Why Attend?
A Conference Built for You
This conference unites attorneys, investigators, social workers, administrative professionals, and more. Whether you’re advocating in court, supporting clients behind the scenes, or championing systemic reform, you’ll find sessions tailored to your unique role and goals.

Expanding Professional Horizons
In recognition of the professional growth opportunities this conference provides, we’re applying for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit in the states listed below allowing you to fulfill your CLE requirements while gaining skills and insights that directly impact your work. CLE tickets are an additional $100 each (no bulk discount) to cover the application and administrative costs. 15-20 of the sessions will be CLE eligible for up to 7 hours of CLE to claim for the conference.
CLE Approved for AZ, CO, IN, MO, NM, NY, OH, WA, WI, TX
Applications Pending in CA, GA, IL, MN, VA
Michigan public defenders and assigned counsel: NAPD events are presumptively approved for credit towards MIDC/Standard 1’s annual training requirements. Please see the MIDC’s website for information about self-reporting and contact information for questions or concerns about attendance including reimbursement. https://michiganidc.gov/cle/

Five Years of Growth and Impact
Since its inception, the Rise. Resist. Represent. conference has brought together thousands of public defenders each year. Over the past five years, it has become a cornerstone event for advancing justice, sparking innovation, and building a community dedicated to public defense.

Accessible and Flexible Learning
We understand the demands of your work, so we’ve designed the conference to fit your schedule. Almost all sessions will be recorded and available on demand, giving you the flexibility to participate live or catch up later.

See the Current Draft of the Program
Pricing (for basic registration not including CLE)

Time Period
Individual
Bulk (5-100)
Bulk (101+)

Before Feb 7
$75
$50
$25

Feb 8 – March 3
$100
$75
$50

March 4 and after
$125
$100
$75

Order Individual TicketsOrder Bulk Tickets

Already have a registration ticket for the conference but now need to add CLE registration?

CLE Only Add On
List of CLE sessions pending approval
🔹 The Science Behind Chapter Method Cross-Examination Larry Steven Pozner
🔹 “I Want to Tell You A Story”: Effective Closing Arguments in Criminal Cases Byron Conway
🔹 Opening Statements Andrea Lyon
🔹 The Automated Fourth Amendment: Policing Technology and Privacy Rights Maneka Sinha
🔹 Legal Writing Tips from Non-legal Writing Sources Ben Miller
🔹 Litigating Racism: Incorporating Race into Legal Argument Bethany Bonsu
🔹 The Psychology of For-Cause Jury Selection Kelson Bohnet
🔹 The Evidence’s Journey: Drug Chemistry for Lawyers Alexander Keane
🔹 Navigating Various Aspects of a Client’s Competency to Stand Shaun R. Huband
🔹 Engaging Media in High-Profile Cases Melissa Rothstein, Natalin Deldalian & Jessie Seyfer
🔹 No Ordinary Time: Pushing Back on Harmful Media Narratives Angela Chang
🔹 The Question Spectrum – Improving Questioning Techniques for Witnesses, Jurors, and Others Michael L. Stout
🔹 “Things I Wish I Knew About Family Court”: Handling Clients with Concurrent Family and Criminal Court Cases Sam Sloane
🔹 Taking Aim at the Trifecta: Challenging Firearms Offenses Post-Bruen/Rahimi Jonathan Roberts
🔹 Breaking Point: Navigating Excessive Caseloads & Seeking Relief Robert C. Boruchowitz & Carlos Martinez
🔹 Making Better Bail Arguments John P. Gross
🔹 Raising Racism: Equal Protection Claims, Racial Justice Acts, and Practical Pointers Josh Raisler Cohn
🔹 A Walk Through the Elusive Resentencing Process Kelly Savage-Rodriguez
🔹 Post-Rahimi Second Amendment Update and Practice Tips Jackson Whetsel
🔹 Manner of Death Testimony and Why It’s NOT Fit for Purpose at the Criminal Trial Allison Lewis
🔹 Building the Battle Plan to Take on Anyone: Defending in and For Youth Competency Hearings Elizabeth Hope Zilberberg
🔹 Look-Back Resentencing: The Forgotten Middle Lisa Waters

Investigating Sex Assault of Children Cases
2025-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigating-sex-assault-of-children-cases/
Handling child sexual assault cases demands a specialized skill set distinct from other types of cases due to the sensitive nature of the material and the involvement of child witnesses. This presentation will offer a comprehensive, in-depth, step-by-step guide on how to approach these cases to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Katherine Mayer is an accomplished criminal justice expert with over 15 years of experience in mitigation and fact investigation across both death and non-death penalty cases. In 2012, Katherine founded Mayer Consulting, a holistic criminal defense consulting firm that specializes in fact investigation, mitigation, and jury consulting. She holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and is a licensed private investigator in the state of Texas.

Social Work Meetup: Open Chat
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/85605681692
This week’s meetup will be an open chat – open to discuss anything! If you want to highlight one of the great sessions you caught last week at NAPD’s Rise. Resist. Represent. Conference, this is the space for that! If you have questions for the group – the space for that! If you want to bring up a topic to discuss and share – the space for that! Join the discussion where the topics, questions, ideas are driven by you!

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.

Social Worker Meetup: Caseloads and Structure of Mitigation Workers in PD Offices
2025-04-07 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-caseloads-and-structure-of-mitigation-workers-in-pd-offices/
On a Monday – Special Monday-Meetup! We know that every jurisdiction is different, but we are also aware there is not uniformity in how mitigation work gets done in defense based offices. This discussion will focus on who is doing the mitigation work (social workers, mitigation specialists, behavioral health workers, paralegals, etc.), where (in-office or contracted), and what the referral process and caseloads look like. We will explore and discuss different ethical models that parallel in-office versus contracted work. Join us on a special Monday edition of our meetup!
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.

Racial Justice Meetup - April edition
2025-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Racial Justice Meetup –
It’s time for the April edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
Corey Smith, NAPD’s new Wellness Resource Coordinator, will lead this month’s meetup presentation – Income Inequality and Access to Justice! In this meetup, we will explore the intersection of income inequality and access to justice in the United States, examining how historical laws and policies have disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations.
Meetup flyer, speaker bio, and Zoom link will be posted on the racial justice listserv. Not on the Racial Justice listserv? Send your request to be added to BGT, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ) Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.
Be sure that you don’t miss a Racial Justice Meetup (every second Tuesday of the month), add it to your calendar here.
See you soon, NAPD!

Investigator Supervisor Meetup: Open chat 2:00 ET, 1:00 CT, 12:00 MT, 11:00 PT
2025-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-open-chat-april-2025/
Welcome to the April edition of the supervisor investigator’s meetup, it’s an open chat with lots to cover including a special guest for Friday’s general meetup.
Please join us!
Jon

Investigator Meetup: Uncovering and challenging patterns of police misconduct
2025-04-11 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-uncovering-and-challenging-patterns-of-police-misconduct/
Investigators play a crucial role in uncovering and challenging patterns of police misconduct. We will discuss strategies for finding police misconduct data, the impact of misconduct data on defense cases, and how investigators can leverage new technologies to uncover misconduct. This session will introduce Techtivist, a groundbreaking platform designed to assist investigators with tracking and using police misconduct records effectively.

Julie Ciccolini is the CEO of Techtivist, a software firm empowering defenders to track law enforcement misconduct. Her innovative police accountability software has prevented wrongful convictions and sparked nationwide reform. Her work at The Legal Aid Society, Human Rights Watch, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, contributed to overturning 13 problematic policing laws and the largest per-person settlement for a mass arrest in history. A sought-out subject matter expert on police accountability, her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, New Yorker, NPR, and CNN.

Leadership Institute 2025
2025-04-14 10:00 - 2025-04-17 15:00 | Indianapolis Government Center South, 302 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
What to Expect:
At the Institute, leaders will work on both a Case Problem designed to tackle common challenges faced in public defense offices and have the opportunity to discuss their unique issues outside of the case problem.
See the current agenda and speakers
Small Group, Intensive Coaching:
Participants will work in small groups with expert facilitators and participants from across the nation, Facilitators will guide you through leadership models to explore the Institute Case Problem and address personal leadership challenges. This personalized, intensive coaching will help you develop solutions to both shared and individual issues.
Who Should Attend:
This training is ideal for both new and experienced leaders from all sectors of public defense—federal, state, county, contract, and assigned counsel systems. Leaders of investigators, social workers, administrators, and other public defense professionals are encouraged to attend. NAPD’s leadership trainings provide the practical tools you need to bring transformative change to your office, justice system, and community.
Leave the Institute with strategies to apply what you’ve learned, making an immediate impact when you return to your organization.
Room Block at Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown and SpringHill Indianapolis Downtown for $127 per night plus tax and fees. We have a limited number of rooms, book early to make sure you get the rate. Deadline March 24, 2025
Meals not provided. There will be beverage and snacks at the breaks.
Please review NAPD Event Policies regarding attendance and cancellations
Pricing before Feb 3, 2025 $800 NAPD Members, $950 Non Members
Pricing Feb 4 and beyond $900 NAPD Members, $1050 Non Members
Registration Deadline – March 17, 2025 (Don’t wait till the last minute – this one always sells out)
Hotel Room block with Courtyard and Spring Hill Suites for $133 plus tax and fees. Click here to book your room
Comments from past participants
“I thought the conference was great. The topics and presentations were relevant to my work and everyone who presented was a pro. They knew how to relay information in a dynamic way; they taught without being pedantic. They were funny! It’s also nice to be in a space where people are grappling with similar issues. I’ve been to trainings for managers that are meant to be helpful, but are designed for corporate offices or non-legal settings. This training was completely tailored to PD offices and NOT to corporate America.”
“This conference was very well tailored to our work and the experience I had this year compared to an earlier version of the conference was much improved! Instead of war stories, the faculty were poignant, appropriately vulnerable about their own pitfalls, and gave good practical advice for moving forward.”
“NAPD puts on a great conference. All of the plenary sessions were engaging and motivational. The addition of the small groups made the discussions at the plenary sessions come to life.”

Social Work Supervisor Discussion: Supporting Your Team
2025-04-15 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-supervisor-discussion-supporting-your-team/
This meetup is for supervisors of social workers, mitigation specialists, sentencing advocates, dispositional advocates, social work interns, and others to come together and discuss topics relevant to supervision in defense-based offices.
Kevin Bishop, LCSW, is the Social Worker Coordinator with The OFfice of the Alternate Defense Counsel (CO).

Strategic Mitigation: Condensed and Abbreviated Versions of Mitigation
2025-04-21 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/strategic-mitigation-condensed-and-abbreviated-versions-of-mitigation/
On a Monday – Special Monday-Meetup! When a case has a tight turnaround or in-depth mitigation development hasn’t been requested, how do you create a condensed or abbreviated version of mitigation? How do you structure your mitigation writing, or do you do something different to highlight the mitigation you have? Come to this special Monday meetup to discuss how you handle strategic mitigation that is shorter in length, condensed, or abbreviated!
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.

Dyslexia: Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Implications
2025-04-21 15:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/dyslexia-criminal-justice/
Presenters: Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., and Amy Guillot, Ph.D., M.A.
Dyslexia is defined by the International Dyslexia Association as a neurological learning disability characterized by poor spelling and word recognition abilities. Consequences of these deficits often include secondary reading problems such as poor reading comprehension. A harmful domino effect can be traced from dyslexia to learning difficulties in school and several adverse outcomes across the lifespan. These adverse outcomes include criminal justice-involvement, as research reports that people entangled in the criminal justice system may be disproportionately likely to present with undiagnosed dyslexia. Although not a causal risk factor for criminal behavior, dyslexia may amplify the risk of criminal justice-involvement when co-occurring with other established risk factors (e.g., impulsive control issues, poor verbal skills, low self-esteem, social skill limitations, early language problems, and cognitive problem-solving). Intended for professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings, this innovative training provides attendees with a comprehensive overview of dyslexia, its potential causes, clinical features, and red flag indicators. Nuanced discussions of potential opportunities for prevention, management, and intervention will also be discussed. For instance, high quality academic and reading interventions could play a key role in reducing the rates of delinquency and recidivism among justice-involved populations. The principal goals of this training are to encourage the (a) routine screening of dyslexia and (b) adoption of dyslexia-informed practices and policies in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal systems. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training.
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), 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, 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.
Amy Guillot, Ph.D., M.A., has been a literacy education professor, researcher, and Dyslexia Therapist in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Houston-Victoria since 2007. Amy earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2003. She is the current Chair of the Teacher Education Program at UH-V and leads the faculty in transforming teacher preparation. Amy has several years of experience in public schools as an English Language Arts teacher and Reading Specialist. She received her Dyslexia Therapist certification in 2020 after a two-year intensive preparation. Amy has published and presented extensively in national, state, and local venues on topics related to literacy and teacher preparation. In addition to her role as a professor and Chair, Amy provides tutoring for students with dyslexia in her private practice. Amy has provided training for a variety of professionals and educators about the academic and mental health implications for people with dyslexia.

Kintsukuroi Sentencing
2025-04-22 12:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/kintsukuroi-sentencing/
Kintsukuroi, the Japanese art of “golden repair,” involves mending broken pottery with gold, silver, or platinum, embracing the flaws as part of the object’s history rather than concealing them. This philosophy can be a powerful tool in federal criminal defense.
Applying Kintsukuroi to your practice means using the concept of embracing and highlighting your clients’ burdens, journeys and rehabilitation efforts as part of their story. It offers a fresh perspective on developing mitigation strategies, demonstrating genuine growth and commitment to compliance with pretrial conditions, and crafting compelling arguments for sentencing.
Most of our clients end up standing before a judge for sentencing. If you’d like to consider some new strategies to help them put their best foot forward, you’ll get some practical ideas and sources for this crucial aspect of your practice.
Laurie Shertz has been a criminal defense attorney for not quite 30 years, primarily concentrating her practice in federal court. She focuses on a client-centric approach to cases, ensuring clients receive the time they need to understand their case and choices fully, and to share their background and experiences to craft their best strategy in every case.

DEIJ Meetup - April Edition
2025-04-23 13:00 - 14:00
DEIJ Meetup –

We’re back! It’s time for the April edition of the DEIJ MEETUP!

Joyce Akhahenda, Esq. (she/her) will lead this month’s meetup presentation – TOUGH CONVERSATIONS. In this DEIJ meetup, we will cover why we avoid having tough conversations and how to have them.

Don’t miss this meetup! The meetup flyer, speaker bio, and Zoom link 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.

See you soon, DEIJ!

Defending Noncitizens in a Time of Crisis
2025-04-28 13:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/defending-noncitizens-in-a-time-of-crisis/
This webinar will provide defenders with an update on the rapidly changing landscape of immigration law. We will focus on those changes that may directly impact your clients and give you information and tools you can use in advising and advocating for those clients. Our speakers will share perspectives from sanctuary and non-sanctuary jurisdictions on issues of enforcement, protecting targeted groups, and how to zealously advocate for your noncitizen clients in these critical times.
Mx. Onyx Starrett (they/them) works as one of the criminal-immigration specialists at the Santa Barbara County Public Defender Office, where they provide advice and training to trial attorneys representing noncitizens and advocate for clients through post-conviction relief. Prior to their current position, they worked at Nassau County Public Defender Office, Brooklyn Defender Services, and Ventura County Public Defender as a crimmigration expert, giving advice to clients, negotiating with prosecutors, and representing clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Additionally, Onyx initiated the Deported Veterans Project at Public Counsel in Los Angeles, California, successfully advocating for deported U.S. military veterans to return to the U.S., many as U.S. citizens.
Hena Mansori oversees the Immigration Division at the Cook County Public Defender’s office. Since joining the PD’s office in 2020, she has trained PD staff on their obligations under Padilla v. Kentucky and provided case-specific guidance regarding the immigration consequences of criminal offenses to assistant public defenders representing noncitizen clients. Hena also oversees the office’s removal defense practice, through which the office represents noncitizens facing deportation on a merits-blind model, and its crimmigration community outreach and education. Prior to joining the PD’s office, Hena worked at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) for more than 12 years, most recently as the managing attorney of NIJC’s Adult Detention Project. Hena received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Chicago in 2002 and her J.D. from NYU School of Law in 2006. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois and lives with her husband and two kids in Chicago.
Jordan Pollock has been the Immigration Specialist at the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office since 2014. In this role, Ms. Pollock advises both public defenders and appointed attorneys of the immigration consequences of the criminal charges against non-citizen clients. Ms. Pollock provides this advice in the form of written advisals, which allow attorneys to satisfy the professional obligations outlined by the Supreme Court in Padilla v. Kentucky. These advisals further provide suggested plea deals intended to protect clients’ immigration status or possible future relief. The first of its kind in Texas, the Immigration Advisal Program at the Dallas Public Defender’s Office now serves as a model for similar programs at public defender’s offices statewide. Ms. Pollock also serves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Law School, where she teaches a course in “crimmigration,” and is the vice chair of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s immigration committee. Previously, Ms. Pollock was an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Public Counsel in Los Angeles, where she instituted a Legal Orientation Program at two Orange County detention centers and represented detained immigrants in removal proceedings. She received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. with honors from Duke University. Before law school, Ms. Pollock was an accredited representative at the New York Legal Assistance Group, where she represented clients in affirmative immigration matters.
Matthew Vogel is a Supervising Attorney at the National Immigration Project (NIPLNG), where he works on litigation, advocacy, and training regarding immigration enforcement and detention as well as issues at the intersection of criminal law and immigration law. Matt joined NIPNLG from the Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) in New Orleans, where for several years as a staff attorney, he built OPD’s immigration practice, providing immigration consequences advising and training on the immigration consequences of criminal legal system involvement. Matt also worked on OPD’s death penalty and juvenile life without parole defense teams and carried a docket of upper-level felonies and misdemeanors. He clerked for the Honorable Keith P. Ellison of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and spent many years living and working at the New York City Catholic Worker, a house of hospitality for unhoused people. Matt graduated from Harvard University, Yale Divinity School, and Yale Law School and lives with his family in New Orleans.
Stacy Taeuber was an immigration resource attorney for the Washington Defender Association from 2021 – 2025 where she worked with defenders and other stakeholders to address the immigration consequences faced by noncitizens accused of crimes. She has over 25 years of experience as an immigrant rights advocate; she has practiced in Florida, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and has argued cases before the Arizona and Wisconsin Supreme Courts, the Seventh Circuit, and federal district courts. She spent two years as a public defender in Arizona and was a contract defender in Wisconsin. Stacy founded the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School and served as its director for four years and was a visiting clinical professor in the University of Minnesota Law School’s Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic for two years. Stacy received her B.A. in Spanish from Earlham College and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law School.

Social Work Meetup: What Trainings Do You Provide In-House?
2025-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-2025-05-07/
Social workers, mitigation specialists, dispositional advocates, alternative sentencing specialists, and others are familiar with providing information and education on our roles. This meetup will focus specifically on the organized/structured education/information/training that you offer or facilitate or participate in your offices. What trainings do you offer in-house and to whom? How often? And what ideas or recommendations for trainings in-house would you like to pass along?
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.

Building a Mentorship Program
2025-05-08 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/building-a-mentorship-program/
In this program I will walk through the process of designing and implementing a formalized mentorship program that is tailored for your agency. We will talk about the goals and benefits of the program, and how to generate buy-in. We will talk about training the mentors, pairing them with mentees, and keeping the program sustainable over time.
Gina Savoie is a Trial Division Director for the Missouri State Public Defender. In that role, she oversees public defender trial offices across the state. She has also designed and implemented a formal mentorship program for all new attorneys in MSPD. She previously served as the District Defender in the Jefferson County Public Defender’s office, and as an assistant public defender in the St. Louis City trial office.
Prior to joining MSPD, Gina clerked for Httornon. Judge Catherine Perry in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Gina holds a J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, an M.F.A. in Stage Management from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Rutgers University. She and her husband Sean live in St. Louis County where they are raising three wild and beautiful girls.

The Question Spectrum - Improving Questioning Techniques for Witnesses, Jurors, and Others.
2025-05-09 12:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-question-spectrum-improving-questioning-techniques-for-witnesses-jurors-and-others/
This webinar will address how to effectively question in contrasting situations. From the tightly controlled cross-examination to exploratory voir dire, we will discuss how to effectively present and retrieve information. On the one hand, painting pictures, telling stories, and maintaining control, and on the other hand, receiving valuable insights, all while avoiding the murky middle of the spectrum.
Michael L. Stout is a trial attorney practicing primarily criminal law. He has been practicing law since 1976 when he graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law conducting both criminal and civil trials. Michael often teaches other lawyers through workshops and seminars and has been a member of the faculty of the National Criminal Defense College since 1983. He was the first Chair of the New Mexico Public Defender Commission which was created by constitutional amendment in 2012.

Investigator Supervisor Meetup: 5-14-2025- Open Chat
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-5-14-2025-open-chat/
HI all,
Supervisors 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.
Join us!
See you on Wednesday,
Jon

AI in Justice – Insights and Implications for Public Defenders
2025-05-15 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/ai-in-justice-insights-and-implications-for-public-defenders/
Join us for an insightful webinar as we delve into the findings of the 2025 AI in Justice Survey, which gathered perspectives from nearly 400 justice professionals nationwide. This session will explore how public defenders are navigating increasing administrative and discovery workloads, their views on the integration of AI tools in legal processes, and the critical concerns surrounding accuracy, bias, and courtroom admissibility. Structured around six key findings, the discussion will shed light on the practical challenges and opportunities that AI presents in the realm of public defense. Whether you’re considering the adoption of AI technologies or assessing their impact on your practice, this webinar offers valuable, data-driven insights into the evolving landscape of justice and technology.
Brent Berkley is an internationally-recognized expert on criminal justice and the prosecutorial function. With a career spanning nearly 35 years, he has worked as a private and public defense attorney, a prosecutor at every level of state, local, and federal prosecution, and program director, advocate, educator, and consultant for prosecutors, law enforcement, and allied professionals across the globe.His expertise covers trial practice, digital evidence and legal technology, upstream crime reduction, re-entry, and increasing efficiency within the criminal justice system.Brent joined Axon in 2015 and was responsible for the creation of the Axon Justice team, working with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and courts in every state and multiple international environments. He is currently the Strategic Relationships Director for Justice customers and works with leaders in that community to modernize criminal justice practice for the 21st Century.

Justin Dilley is the Senior Director of Product at Axon, where he leads product strategy for emerging markets, focusing on innovative technologies that enhance public safety and justice systems. With over 17 years of experience in product and technical roles, Justin has a proven track record of building and leading global product management teams in both B2C and B2B environments. Prior to joining Axon in April 2024, he held senior leadership positions at companies such as Tropic, Loopio, FullStory, The Home Depot, and Amazon, where he was instrumental in launching successful products and driving significant revenue growth. Justin holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

NAPD Changemakers Forum
2025-05-19 12:00 - 2025-05-22 12:00 | Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel,, Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 South Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
May 19 (noon start) – May 22 (1 pm end time), 2025
Apply Here – Deadline April 14th. We will make selections by April 16.
$750 registration fee. We have a few scholarships available. Please let us know in the application if you would need assistance and what level.
Audience – This event is open to innovators and leaders of all types. We are looking for a wide variety of experiences in public defense through our application process. If this event sounds like something you’d like to be a part of – you are someone we are looking for. Please apply to join us.
The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) cordially invites innovators and leaders in public defense to our strategic leadership Forum. This event will provide a platform to discuss and address the most pressing challenges facing the field of public defense today, such as workloads, retention, independence, and other key issues defined in the ABA’s newly revised 10 principles.
We’ve reinvented the conventional institute format to create an interactive, collaborative experience. While we’ll still host a few critical plenaries, we’re excited to introduce two fresh formats.

Spark Presentations: Engage with thought leaders as they share their insights and innovative ideas in 5-10 minute, impactful talks. This is your chance to hear directly from those in the trenches about strategies and solutions they have found effective.
Open Space Sessions: A participatory and organic approach where attendees are invited to brainstorm and create actionable plans for the issues they are most passionate about. These sessions will foster dynamic discussions and collaboration, promoting a creative exchange of ideas that will inform and inspire.

Strategic Action Planning and Expert Consultations:
To ensure that the insights gained don’t merely remain theoretical, the forum will also include guidance from experts to assist in crafting executable plans. Attendees will not only gain knowledge but will leave with well-defined, actionable strategies, bridging the divide between conceptual understanding and real-world applicability. This holistic approach guarantees that our Forum isn’t just another conference—it’s a launchpad for effective and meaningful initiatives in public defense.
Registration and Cost
In an effort to democratize participation, we kindly ask all attendees to cover their own registration and travel costs. This approach enables us to focus our resources on providing a high-quality event and generating maximum value for all participants.
Nevertheless, we remain committed to inclusivity and ensuring that all who wish to participate have the opportunity. For this reason, we are pleased to offer scholarships for individuals who wish to present a Spark presentation or who may not be able to afford to attend..
The NAPD Changemakers Forum is more than an event – it is an opportunity for leaders in public defense to come together to confront our greatest challenges, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. We look forward to your participation and to shaping the future of public defense together.
There is discounted self-parking at the hotel.
See the agenda
From last year’s participants –
“It’s a leap of faith to go to a conference with just an outline of an agenda, but it worked, it flowed and it has been my favorite conference!”
“I felt fully embraced by the group – was able to be vulnerable and share challenges – in a place of safe support. I got so many ideas to bring home and felt inspired to bring more to my leadership role.”
‘This was a special gathering of just the right people, in the right context. Everyone fully bought in to the concept and participated fully and that made all the difference in the world.”
“I was very skeptical going in, but converted to a full believer in this format by the time the week ended.”
“The connections and bonding that came out of the conference were just as important as the session topics and ideas. It was a good length of time to allow those bonds to form, and also to allow for deep exploration of the topics. The networking event on Thursday evening was a great way to wrap the week.”

A Neurocriminological and Nutritional Neuroscience Exploration of the “Twinkie Defense”: A Look Back and Lessons Learned
2025-05-19 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/a-neurocriminological-and-nutritional-neuroscience-exploration-of-the-twinkie-defense/
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.
Training Objectives:
• Provide a critical overview of the “Twinkie Defense”
• Develop a working knowledge of neurocriminology and nutritional neuroscience research findings
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy diets and their implications for mood, behavior, cognition, and physical health
• Explore the role of nutrition in problematic behaviors
• Discuss how diet-focused interventions could decrease the risk of future behavioral problems
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), 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.
