Please be advised that registration for all Training Division Events is limited to persons who provide services pursuant to the Federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA). For more information please read our Training Events Registration Disclaimer.
If you have any questions about registering, please emailus.
Dec 31
Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Defense - Virtual Program (Recordings)
Fundamentals is designed for those new to federal criminal defense practice and addresses topics that you will likely encounter in your practice, such as ways to recognize and reduce racial injustice in the federal courts, the Bail Reform Act, the essential role of investigation in CJA cases, mental health issues, discovery and motion practice, pleas and proffers, the basics of sentencing and the sentencing guidelines, application of the sentencing guidelines, the categorical approach, the Bureau of Prison, and federal appeals.
Materials and links for the sessions are provided by clicking this link.
Nov 2
Trial Skills Workshop / Crimes Decoded: Emerging Digital Litigation Technology Strategies (Virtual)
Crimes Decoded explores the intersection of digital technology and zealous advocacy in criminal cases. We aim to increase understanding and inspire CJA lawyers and Federal Public Defenders to think innovatively about how to litigate issues surrounding the digital technology that increasingly permeates their cases. We aim to build lawyers’ confidence to use traditional advocacy skills with a new understanding of the potential challenges to the technology that law enforcement is using. With knowledge and skills, we can be successful in all phases of representation.
TSW/CD is entirely live this year. Participants will meet in virtual rooms for all presentations, demonstrations and also for small group sessions where they will engage in concrete skills exercises.
The program consists of 11 live presentations, 5 workshop sessions, 2 demonstrations, a coffee talk where we invite participants to seek advice on any active cases from our experienced faculty, and an optional social gathering.
A limited number of spaces are available given the hands-on practice format of this workshop. Once you register, you will be placed on a waitlist. Applicants will be sent a link to submit supplemental information at the time of registration. This supplemental information form must be returned no later than September 22, 2021, to be considered for admission to the workshop.
Given the limited spaces, we ask that you commit to attending all live presentations and small group session. They meet Monday-Thursday, October 25-28, and Monday-Tuesday, November 1-2. Each of the six days of this workshop starts at 1:00 p.m. ET and ends by 5:00 p.m. at the latest.
27
Conspiracy Cases: Down the Conspiracy Rabbit Hole
This presentation will discuss why conspiracy charges are so dangerous for our clients, the basic elements of conspiracy, common defenses, evidentiary issues dealing with conspiracy, and practice tips on how to manage a conspiracy case.
Presenter
Rene Valladares is the Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law, and the UNLV Criminal Justice Department. He lectures nationally on various criminal law and procedure topics including evidence and the defense of conspiracy cases. Mr. Valladares serves on the Federal Defenders' Performance Measurement Working Group. Recently, Rene Valladares wrote a Guide to Federal Evidence: A Trial Practice Handbook for Criminal Defense Attorneys published by NACDL.
3
Dancing in the Dark: Fentanyl Analogues
Since fiscal year 2016, there has been a massive 5,725% increase in federal prosecutions involving fentanyl analogues. Across the country, these substances are cropping up in many different types of drugs prosecutions. But what is a fentanyl analogue, exactly? This presentation will explain what fentanyl analogues are, recommend strategies for building your defense, and identify sentencing arguments to help you advocate for lower sentences for your clients.
Presenter
Patricia L. Richman serves as the National Sentencing Resource Counsel to the Federal Public and Community Defender, where she leads legislative and policy work. Previously, Patricia served as a Detaile Counsel on the Judiciary Committee for U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Baltimore, Maryland and in Greenbelt, Maryland. Before joining the Federal Public and Community Defenders, Patricia worked as an associate at Williams & Connolly LLP, and as a clerk to the Honorable Cynthia M. Rufe, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Prior to law school, Patricia taught special education in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Patricia earned her law degree from Duke University School of Law; she also holds a M.S. in Special Education: Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
9
JSIN: A Defense Attorney Guide to the Commission’s New Tool
On September 28, 2021, the U.S. Sentencing Commission publicly released the Judiciary Sentencing INformation platform, or “JSIN”. The Commission describes JSIN as a data tool “specifically developed with the needs of judges in mind.” According to the Commission, JSIN provides judges with easier access to sentencing data for “similarly-situated defendants.” In this presentation attendees will learn how JSIN works and the data it reports. We will explore JSIN’s capabilities and limitations and discuss how the tool may affect defense strategies at sentencing (and beyond).
Presenters:
Jayme Feldman is an attorney with the National Sentencing Resource Counsel Project for the Federal Public and Community Defenders, where she leads SRC’s advocacy before the U.S. Sentencing Commission. She is based in Washington, DC. Prior to joining SRC, Jayme was an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Western District of New York. Jayme earned her J.D. from the University at Buffalo Law School and her B.S. from the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University.
Tina Woehr, Texas-born and Tucson-based, is an attorney with the National Sentencing Resource Counsel Project. Before they joined SRC, Tina was an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Arizona and the Southern District of Texas. Prior to that she was an associate with the New York office of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Tina received their J.D. from Columbia Law School, and a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
CLE: In order to get deliver this time-sensitive webinar quickly, we did not apply for CLE, which requires 60 day advance application in some states. However, we will provide all attendees a Certificate of Attendance which you may use to self-apply for CLE credit, depending on your jurisdiction
9
Managing Your Time, Maintaining Your Boundaries
For many of us, it often appears there are not enough hours in the day. This feels especially true when you find yourself doing your work, the work of others, and managing home life responsibilities. In this session, we will talk about identifying common pitfalls that contribute to our general overwhelm, and we will discuss tips for refocusing your time on your goals and priorities.
Presenter:
Marilena David is the Deputy Director at the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office. She has been at SADO since 2007 when she began as an intern. She represents individuals on appeal of their felony convictions and individuals who are being resentenced after serving unconstitutional juvenile life without parole sentences. Marilena manages the Criminal Defense Resource Center and provides training, resources, and support to the criminal defense bar. She regularly trains lawyers around the country on writing, research, sentencing mitigation, client relationships, issue spotting, sustainability, and more. Marilena launched and manages Project Reentry, a program focused on supporting people on their journey home from prison. Marilena serves on the Board of Directors for numerous Michigan defense education programs and is past chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s (SBM) Prisons & Corrections Section where she currently serves on the Council. She serves on the National Association for Public Defense Core Well-Being Committee and contributes to developing and implementing national standards for public defense sustainability. Marilena is the recipient of the 2014 SBM Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, the 2014 Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Justice for All Award, and the 2018 Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Community Impact Award. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Community Corrections Board. In 2021, she was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve on the Michigan Judicial Council.
Orientation Seminar for Assistant Federal Defenders
The Orientation Seminar for Assistant Federal Defenders was scheduled to be an in-person training event in November 2021 but has been postponed until further notice.
This seminar for new assistant federal defenders includes a mix of topics on substantive federal criminal law, sentencing, trial tactics, evidence, and ethics. Most topics are presented in plenary lectures while some are offered in breakout sessions.
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, please contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov. The agenda and materials will be posted at the Federal Judicial Center's intranet page.