Criminal Justice

Establishing Innocence or Guilt

The Reliability of Convictions

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Plano, Texas, USA

Past Event

MCLE Credit will be available

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

Online registration for the conference is now closed. If you would like to still register for this conference, please register onsite at the registration desk.

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

Overview

This program will include a deep dive into a North Carolina wrongful conviction case, exploring various aspects of the case from the perspectives of law enforcement, the prosecution and the defense.  There will also be several sessions focusing on laboratory and scientific issues associated with wrongful convictions.

This program 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?

Judges, Prosecutors and their staff, Criminal Defense Attorneys and their staff, Law Enforcement Officers, and law students. Thanks to the grant, the seminar is offered tuition-free to most participants.

Schedule and Faculty

Revised Schedule as of 4/5/2018

Monday, April 9, 2018

8:00 am


Check-in and Registration (Refreshments Provided)

9:00 am


Introduction To The Program & The Greg Taylor Case

  • Chris Mumma, North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Durham, NC

9:10 am


Documentary Screening: “In Pursuit of Justice” (Video)

10:30 am


Break

10:45 am


The Taylor Case Investigation: Tunnel Vision & Bias – Why It Happens & How To Avoid Its Pitfalls

  • Gregg O. McCrary, Behavioral Criminology International, Fredericksburg, VA

12:00 pm


Lunch (Provided)

1:00 pm


Comments from Judge Barbara Hervey

  • The Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Austin, TX

1:15 pm


The Taylor Case Interrogation: Law Enforcement & The Impact Of Interrogation Techniques

  • Gregg O. McCrary, Behavioral Criminology International, Fredericksburg, VA

Panelists:

  • Greg Taylor
  • Johnny Beck

2:30 pm


Break

2:45 pm


The Taylor Case & Jailhouse Informants

  • Chris Mumma, North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Durham, NC

3:45 pm


Ethics: Innocence Investigations & Litigation [Includes Ethics from: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM]

  • Brad Bannon, Patterson Harkavy LLP, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Chris Mumma, North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Durham, NC

5:00 pm


Reception

6:00 pm


Recess

Tuesday, April 10

9:00 am


Forensic Issues: An Overview & The Taylor Case

  • Inger Chandler, Attorney At Law, Conroe, TX

10:30 am


Break

10:45 am


Post-Conviction Review & The Taylor Case

Panelists:

  • Chris Mumma, North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Durham, NC
  • Dawn Boswell, Tarrant Co. Criminal District Attorney's Office, Fort Worth, TX
  • Cynthia Garza, Dallas Co. District Attorney's Office, Dallas, TX
  • Bill Wirskye, Collin Co. District Attorney's Office, McKinney, TX

12:15 pm


Lunch (Provided)

1:15 pm


Case Law & Legislative Update

  • Gary Udashen, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, TX

2:15 pm


Facilitated Discussion: Initiatives & Action Plan Development

Discussion Leaders: Dawn Boswell, Inger Chandler, Cynthia Garza, Chris Mumma, Gary Udashen, & Bill Wirskye

Discussion Commentators: Greg Taylor & Johnny Beck

3:45 pm


Break

4:00 pm


Post-Discussion Presentation: Initiatives & Action Plans

5:00 pm


Recess

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

9:00 am


Overview: Forensics & The Forensic Lab

9:15 am


Seized Drugs 101 & Issues in Field Drug Testing

  • James Miller, Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, TX

10:15 am


Break

10:30 am


Firearms & Tool Marks 101 with Challenges & Responses

  • Darrell Stein, Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, TX

11:30 am


DNA 101 & Emerging Technologies

  • Timothy Sliter, Ph.D., Chief, Physical Evidence Section, Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences (SWIFS)

12:30 pm


Lunch (Provided)

1:15 pm


Toxicology

  • Peter Stout, Ph.D., Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, TX

2:15 pm


Success & Challenges of Ongoing Remediation With A Focus on Crime Scene Issues

  • Peter Stout, Ph.D., Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, TX

3:15 pm


Break

3:30 pm


Overview: The Quality System In The Crime Laboratory

  • Chris Heartsill, Tarrant Co. Medical Examiner’s Office, Fort Worth, TX

5:00 pm


Adjourn

CLE Credit

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 19.75 hours, including 1 hour of ethics. Course ID Number: 174011398.

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.

TCOLE Credit

Law enforcement personnel attending this course are eligible for 21 hours of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) credit. Many out-of-state participants find their states enjoy a reciprocal training agreement with Texas.

Overnight Accommodations

Hyatt Place Plano welcomes our guests attending Establishing Innocence or Guilt, at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $100 plus applicable fees/taxes for 4/8/2018 - 4/10/2018.

Please make your reservations by 3/13/2018. As long as the reservation is made by this date, and the group block has availability, you will receive the group rate. 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 Hotel Online

Type in Arrival/Departure Dates
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CLEI
or
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888.492.8847) or 972.378.3997

Dates available: 4/8/2018 - 4/10/2018
Mention the group name: CAIL - Establishing Innocence

  • A valid credit card is required to make reservations
  • Tax Exemption Certificates and Credit Card Authorization Forms may be faxed to the hotel directly 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. Note: Registrants must attend the program to receive the course materials, unless tuition was paid.

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.