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. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for DSO Training Division Programs will be requested unless otherwise noted. Program Credit hours will always be subject to each state's approval and credit rounding rules. Approved programs and credit hours will be made available at the conclusion of applicable programs.
NEW For CLE information and available resources pertaining to your state, please visit the CLE Information Center.
Please read the 2022 DSO In-Person Health & Safety Protocols.
If you have any questions about registering, please emailus.
Dec 31
2021- 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.
3 - 5
IN PERSON - Non-Capital Sentencing Mitigation Skills Workshop
Using a storytelling approach, this workshop presents a hands-on method on the development of non-capital mitigation and its integration into persuasive sentencing advocacy. Through plenary and small group sessions, participants will further their understanding on non-capital mitigation evidence and the skills necessary to effectively interview for mitigation; investigate, collect and analyze records; and write reports and/or sentencing memorandum to present mitigation at sentencing. In the small group sessions, participants will use pending cases of their own to practice interviewing, storytelling, and persuasive writing. This workshop is specifically designed for non-capital mitigation social workers, sentencing advocates, attorneys and other professionals who provide this work under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). Please note that due to the workshop format of this program, participation in all of the sessions is mandatory.
Enrollment for this program is limited to 45 federal defender staff and non-capital mitigation social workers, sentencing advocates, attorneys and other professionals who provide this work under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). A limited amount of financial assistance is available to qualifying CJA Panel Attorneys to cover a portion of travel costs.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for this workshop will be sought in all applicable jurisdictions.
Early registration is encouraged.
16
Developing Individual and Community Resiliency
Working with clients, colleagues, and others in public defense can be personally and professionally challenging. During difficult and distressing times, it is important to have a well of inner strength to draw from and the ability to overcome or effectively cope with situations. People who lack resilience are more likely to become overwhelmed, experience vicarious trauma and burnout and develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. During this interactive 1.5-hour webinar, participants will learn about some of the key areas of resilience and how developing resilience can minimize stress and reduce mental and physical health challenges. You will also learn strategies for building individual and community resilience as a practice toward sustainability.
We expect to open registration by September 9 at the latest.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for this program will be sought in all applicable jurisdictions. Additional CLE information will be available after the conclusion of this program.
2 - 3
Non Capital Habeas Conference
This program will cover the broad spectrum of issues specific to habeas corpus litigation on behalf of state and federal prisoners with noncapital cases. Plenary sessions will feature both national speakers and seasoned non-capital habeas attorneys, with breakout sessions for advanced and novice habeas pracitioners. Sessions will include investigating and pleading claims, habeas case updates from the circuits, and ethics. Anticipated novice track topics include: introductions to timeliness; exhaustion, and procedural default. Anticipated advanced track topics include: interplay between 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(2) and (e)(1) and real-case brainstorm session. The conference committee is in the process of planning the agenda and welcomes suggested topics, speakers and presentations from the habeas community, espcially from experienced habeas practitioners. Please email suggestions to George_Couture@ao.uscourts.gov.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for this program will be sought in all applicable jurisdictions. Additional CLE information will be available after the conclusion of this program.
20 - 22
IN-PERSON - Trial Skills Workshop / Crimes Decoded: Emerging Digital Litigation Technology Strategies
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.
The program is a skills-based workshop. The expectation is that participants spend much of the workshop on their feet practicing their advocacy skills. Participants are divided into small groups that will practice the skills necessary to effectively exclude, explain, and/or persuade a Judge or Jury about the technology utilized. Lectures and demonstrations of these skills supplement and inform the small group workshops. The program consists of 10 plenary presentations, 5 workshop sessions, 2 demonstrations, and two optional events: (1) a "happening hour" where we invite participants to seek advice on any active cases from our experienced faculty, and an optional social gathering; and (2) a 75 minute lunch session for CJA attorneys titled "Vouch for your Voucher" which will focus on court rules for submitting expert requests to the court and best practices for submitting persuasive requests.
Because of the hands-on format of this workshop, attendance will be limited, and each participant must apply to be accepted to the program by completing the registration. Completed registration applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for this program will be sought in all applicable jurisdictions. Additional CLE information will be available after the conclusion of this program.
This program was originally scheduled for Oct. 13-15, 2022, but was rescheduled for technical reasons. We anticipate re-opening registration before October 17, 2022, incuding offering financial assistance to a limted number of applicants.