Criminal Justice

Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program

A Program For The Defense

-

Plano, Texas, USA

Past Event

25.5 Hours MCLE Credit available

The Center for American and International Law
5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024

Online registration is closed. Please bring your completed registration form to the door. 

Registrar: +1.972.244.3404
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: cail@cailaw.org

Overview

This intense non-capital course is designed for those who already have some trial experience and gives defense lawyers the opportunity to develop and hone their trial skills. Chaired by Barry Sorrels and Jeff Kearney, and including a faculty comprised of elite criminal defense attorneys, this very highly-rated program focuses on trial skills (voir dire, opening statements, direct examination, cross examination and closing arguments) and law (evidence, protecting the record, and the court's charge). This course features lectures, demonstrations, and small group workshops which will require students to participate in voir dire, conduct direct & cross, and give opening and closing statements. Participants will work a mock case in this course and get the opportunity to develop and hone their trial skills.

This course is funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Who Should Attend?

With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to 60 Texas criminal defense attorneys. Courtroom attire is required. This program is suggested for lawyers with five or more years of experience.

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Login Provided Upon Check-in

Participant Materials

Particpant Worksheet

Hypothetical Case Materials

Expert Stipulation

Final Agenda

Sunday, August 10

2:15 pm


Registration

3:00 pm


Welcoming Remarks & Expectations
- Barry Sorrels & Jeff Kearney 

3:15 pm


Synopsis Of The Facts & Developing A Theory Of The Defense (In This & Other Cases)
- Reed Prospere 

4:00 pm


Break

4:15 pm


Investigation: Victory Loves Preparation
- Sarah Roland

5:00 pm


Storytelling Throughout The Trial
- Tyrone Moncriffe 

6:00 pm


Recess

Monday, August 11

9:00 am


Lecture & Demonstration: Voir Dire – Seating Your Jury
- Reagan Wynn 

10:00 am


Small Group Workshop – Voir Dire (Time Includes A 15 Minute Break)

12:15 pm


Lunch (Provided)

1:15 pm


Swing From The Floor: The Fundamentals Of A Powerful Opening Statement
- Jeff Kearney 

2:00 pm


Small Group Workshop – Opening Statement

4:00 pm


Break

4:15 pm


Demonstration: Opening Statements
Phil Umphres & Bob Hinton 

5:00 pm


Review Of The Day’s Work

5:15 pm


Reception

5:45 pm


Recess

Tuesday, August 12

9:00 am


Evidence: The Rules Of Engagement
- Stephanie Luce 

9:45 am


Offering Persuasive Exhibits & Demonstrative Evidence
- Greg Westfall 

10:30 am


Break

10:45 am


Lecture & Demonstration: Direct Examination
- Rick Hagen 

11:45 am


Lunch (Provided)

12:30 pm


Small Group Workshop – Direct Examination

2:15 pm


Break

2:30 pm


Protecting the Record: Elementary Objections
- Bruce Anton 

3:15 pm


Managing Expert Witnesses On Direct & Cross Examination
-  Robert Udashen

4:00 pm


Break

4:15 pm


Cross Examination Lecture: Rule 601 – The Tools Of The Trade
- Barry Sorrels 

5:00 pm


Recess

Wednesday, August 13

9:00 am


Small Group Workshop – Cross Examination

10:45 am


Break

11:00 am


Demonstration: Cross Examination
- Tom Mills 

11:45 am


Lecture: Insights From Jury Consultants On Persuasion In The Courtroom 
Kacy Miller & Alison Bennett 

12:15 pm


Lunch (Provided)

1:00 pm


Ethical Issues Every Lawyer Faces
- John Hunter Smith 

2:00 pm


The Court’s Charge: Give The Jury Their Marching Orders
- Sarah Roland 

2:45 pm


Break

3:00 pm


Closing Argument Lecture: Deliver The Message
- Heather Barbieri 

3:45 pm


Small Group Workshop – Closing Argument

5:30 pm


Recess

Thursday, August 14

9:00 am


Demonstration: Closing Argument
- Bob Jarvis & Toby Shook 

10:15 am


Break

10:30 am


Mitigation and Punishment: Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst
- Carlos Garcia 

11:15 am


Intangibles: The Will Of A Trial Lawyer
- Barry Sorrels 

12:00 pm


Adjourn

CLE Credits

MCLE Credit

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for 25.5 hours, including 1 hour of ethics. Course ID Number: 901295365.

In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.

Specialization Credit

This program is approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 25.5 hours in the following areas: Criminal Appellate, Criminal Law and Juvenile Law 

Testimonials

"Incredible program. By far the best CLE I have been to so far."

"Great program - very glad I came"

-- 2013 Participants

Overnight Accommodations

Hyatt Place Plano welcomes our guests attending Criminal Defense Trial & Trial Law Program at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $90 for 8/09/2014-8/14/2014.

Please make your reservations by 7/26/2014. Any reservations not received on or before this cut-off date are subject to hotel availability at the best available prevailing rate.

Booking Instructions

Book online at dallasplano.place.hyatt.com
Type in Arrival/Departure Dates
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CL22
or
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888-492-8847) or 972-378-3997

Dates available: 8/09/2014-8/14/2014
Mention the group name: CAILAW Criminal Defense Trial Skills

  • A valid credit card is required to make reservations
  • Tax Exemption Certificates and Credit Card Authorization Forms may be faxed to our office at 972-608-4427 prior to your arrival.

Other Information

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.