In-Person Training Event Description
Using a storytelling approach, this workshop presents a hands-on method on the development of mitigation and its integration into persuasive sentencing advocacy. Through plenary and small group sessions, participants will further their understanding of non-capital mitigation evidence and the skills necessary to effectively interview for mitigation; investigate, collect and analyze records; and write reports and/or sentencing memoranda.
In small groups, participants will use their own pending federal cases to develop themes and theories, practice interviewing, storytelling, and persuasive writing techniques. Participation in all parts of the program is mandatory.
The program is designed for, and attendance is limited to approximately 45 Federal Defender attorneys/staff and attorneys, mitigation specialists, social workers, investigators, sentencing advocates, and other professionals working under the federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by March 23, 2026. Limited financial assistance may be available to non-federal defender registrants for travel expenses.
CLE Applicable Event
IN-PERSON PROGRAM:
This is an in-person program. Defender Services Office Training Division, (DSOTD), generally seeks CLE accreditation for participants and faculty attending its in-person programs. CLE for this program will be sought in all applicable jurisdictions. However, actual CLE approval is at the discretion of each bar association/organization. Notably, you must sign in and out of the in-person program each day in order to receive full CLE credit. To minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states: NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only. Attorneys are responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with DSOTD. For states that require DSOTD to report attendance, attendance will be reported using the bar number(s) and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program. Failure to provide a state and bar number may result in DSOTD not being able to report your attendance. Within 30 days of the completion of an in-person program, DSOTD staff will send attendees a post program email with a CLE information sheet detailing the amount of CLE credit approved by each state, a uniform certificate of attendance and a program agenda. If you have further CLE questions about this program, please contact the DSOTD contact listed above. For general CLE questions, visit our CLE information center or email DSO_CLEAdmin@ao.uscourts.gov.
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