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Sponsored and organized by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and The Defender Initiative at Seattle University School of Law
CLE Credits: 5.25 (1.25 in ethics)
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and The Defender Initiative
at Seattle University School of Law are hosting two conferences, one in New
York and one in Seattle, to examine the strengths and weaknesses of misdemeanor
public defense in the United States and to develop recommendations for improvement.
The conferences will be a key part of a project that will include site visits
in eight states and a review of case law and publications related to provision
of misdemeanor public defense. The project will culminate in a report to the
NACDL Board of Directors and in recommendations to be published and available
on the internet.
The New York conference was held at The Open Society Institute on May 9, 2008, and information is available at www.nacdl.org.
The Seattle conference will be held on July 11. There is no charge to attend this conference, but advance registration is required. Registration is limited to the first 100 people to sign up.
Register Online | Register by Mail
Conference Moderator: Robert C. Boruchowitz, Visiting Clinical Professor of Law, Director, The Defender Initiative, Seattle University, and former Director, The Defender Association
King County, Washington, Superior Court Judge Ron Kessler and Malia Brink, NACDL Counsel for Special Projects, will each moderate one of the panels.
Bob Spangenberg, The Spangenberg Group, will speak briefly during the lunch hour on the increases in misdemeanor filings nationally and on decriminalization ideas.
| 8:30 - 9 a.m. | Registration |
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. | Introduction: Robert C. Boruchowitz—Range of Misdemeanor Challenges and Possible Alternatives |
| 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Scope of Practice, Systemic Problems and Innovations—Moderator, Bob Boruchowitz Chris Jackson—expectations for misdemeanor defenders; value of
appeals |
| 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Logistical, Due Process and Ethical Considerations in Providing Counsel and in Prosecution Practices Judge Kessler, Moderator: Judge's obligation to refer misconduct and
ineffective assistance to bar association |
| 12 - 12:40 p.m. | Systemic Problems—Malia Brink, moderator Andrea Marsh—Rothgery and the denial of counsel |
| 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15 p.m. | Bob Spangenberg—Increases in filings; need to decriminalize |
| 1:40 - 3:40 p.m. | Small Group Discussions |
| 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | Plenary discussion re recommendations |
Interactive panel discussions in the morning will review the strengths of effective defender programs and address major challenges facing defenders in misdemeanors, including:
Panelists will also address issues such as:
Following the morning sessions, conferees will divide into smaller groups to consider specific recommendations for improvement. These ideas may include:
The conference will conclude with a plenary discussion of the ideas developed in the small groups, and consideration of next steps to assist attendees in advancing these ideas.
Registration is free, but advance registration is required.
You may either register online or register via mail.
Should you find it necessary to cancel, please notify the CLE office as soon as possible, so that other potential registrants can take your place. Please call (206) 398-4282, or send an e-mail to mcclurej@seattleu.edu.
A block of rooms is available at the Silver Cloud Hotel, located across the street from the Seattle University campus. The group rate is $169.00/night. You may make a reservation directly with the Silver Cloud Reservations Department by calling 1-800-590-1801. Give the reservations staff the name of our group (SU-Criminal Misdemeanor Conference) and ask for the group rate, to ensure that you are charged properly.
Please view our Travel Information page for help planning your trip to Seattle
For additional information about this CLE seminar, please contact Julie McClure at the Office of Continuing Legal Education at mcclurej@seattleu.edu or by phone at (206) 398-4282.