Suffolk Lawyers for Justice!

Continuing Legal Education

Suffolk Lawyers for Justice requires attorneys on our panel to take eight hours of continuing legal education credits in the field of criminal law annually.

Past Trainings:

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Conduct: Overview of Concepts & Discussion of Emerging Issues

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 (4:00 - 6:00pm)
Boston Bar Association, Conference Room 16 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
Presenters: Jeannie Kain & Jennifer Klein - CPCS Immigration Impact Unit

The interplay between immigration and criminal law can have devastating consequences for any non-citizen charged with a crime, and the Padilla v. Kentucky case requires defense counsel to advise defendants of immigration consequences prior to pleading guilty. With skyrocketing numbers of immigrants being deported for relatively minor criminal offenses, it is imperative that anyone representing non-citizens understand basic concepts in this area and be aware of emerging issues. There is no cost for this event. RSVP to mmendonca@sljinc.org. SLJ attorneys may receive 2 CLE credits for attending. This training also fulfills the CPCS immigration training requirement for panel attorneys.

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Conduct: Overview of Concepts & Discussion of Emerging Issues

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 (4:00 - 6:00pm)
Social Law Library, Special Collections Reading Room John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston
Presenters: Jeannie Kain & Jennifer Klein - CPCS Immigration Impact Unit

The interplay between immigration and criminal law can have devastating consequences for any non-citizen charged with a crime, and the Padilla v. Kentucky case requires defense counsel to advise defendants of immigration consequences prior to pleading guilty. With skyrocketing numbers of immigrants being deported for relatively minor criminal offenses, it is imperative that anyone representing non-citizens understand basic concepts in this area and be aware of emerging issues. There is no cost for this event. RSVP to mmendonca@sljinc.org. SLJ attorneys may receive 2 CLE credits for attending. This training also fulfills the CPCS immigration training requirement for panel attorneys.

Trial Practice & Techniques with Judge Young (2 CLE Hours)

Wednesday, December 15 from 4-6pm
Moakley U. S. Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room 1
Courthouse Way, Boston
Presenters: Hon. William J. Young

Hon. William J. Young has spent nearly three decades on the bench in state and federal courts in Massachusetts. His trial advocacy workshops and publications have won national recognition. This training is produced in collaboration with the offices of the Suffolk and Middlesex County District Attorneys.

District Court Trial Practice (six sessions - 12 CLE hours)

October through December, 2011

This is an intensive, ongoing course for attorneys who want to gain experience conducting jury trials. The training is offered twice a year and is produced by SLJ in collaboration with the Suffolk District Attorney's Office and justices of the Boston Municipal Courts. There is no cost for this course, but space is limited and participants must attend all sessions.

Immigration Consequences after Padilla (1 CLE credit for SLJ panel attorneys)

Thursday, November 11, 2010 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Suffolk University Law School, Room 335
120 Tremont Street, Boston
Presenters: Eduardo Masferrer

Sealing CORI Records (2 CLE credit for SLJ panel attorneys)

Wednesday March 17, 2010 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
MCLE,(Milstein Hall, main floor)
10 Winter Place, Boston
Presenters: Renay Frankel, Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow with the Community Justice Collaborative, and Pauline Quirion, Director of the Greater Boston Legal Services Re-entry Project. Moderator: Sarah McClean, SLJ panel attorney

After people are released from jail, have their criminal cases dismissed, or are found not guilty of a crime, they have a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information). CORI's have continuing consequences that perpetuate economic disadvantages, especially in communities of color. People with criminal records face discrimination when seeking employment and are often ineligible for housing. They lose many of the opportunities for economic mobility that most people take for granted. As a result, people with criminal records are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and homelessness. Joblessness, underemployment, and lack of economic opportunity for people with criminal records or a history of incarceration have created an economic crisis in Boston's communities of color. Indeed, the war on drugs, mandatory sentencing, and racial profiling have lead to racially disparate rates of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration. As a result, CORI has become a racial justice issue and led to a movement to try to revise antiquated laws that require a waiting period of up to 15 years to seal a CORI. The legislature has been slow to act and many financially strapped people need immediate help to seal their records. This free training educates bar advocates on how to advise their clients about sealing records of both convictions and non-convictions. In addition, attorneys will learn to assist clients in sealing a case at the same time the case is dismissed, nolle prossed or results in a not-guilty finding. Please note: CPCS will not compensate attorneys for this service.

District Court Trial Training (12 CLE credits * This training also may be used to fulfill the jury trial requirement for SLJ panel attorneys)

April 8 - June 8, 2010
Presenters: David Frank, Emily Karstetter, Lisa Medeiros, and Michael Roitman

This is an eight-week intensive trial training designed for attorneys who have had fewer than ten trials. There is no cost associated with the training, but space is limited with only six spots available for bar advocates. Sessions run primarily on Thursday afternoons at the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division. Participants present trial exercises based on a mock case before actual judges, and receive critiques from judges and trainers. The final session features full-length mock trials with volunteer witnesses, judges, and jurors. All panel attorneys are welcome to attend the final mock trials, whether to watch or serve as volunteer jurors.

What Every Criminal Defense Lawyers Needs to Know about Melendez-Diaz (3 CLE Credits).

Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Suffolk University Law School, Boston
Presenters: Senior Trial Counsel Stephanie Page and Criminal Defense Training Director Cathleen Bennett of the Committee for Public Counsel Services

Annual Jury Trial Skills Training

Saturday, October 3, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Suffolk University Law School, Boston
Presenters: Middlesex Supervising Attorney Dan Beck, SLJ Supervising Attorney James Corbo, Professor Chris Dearborn, Michael Doolin, Franco Gobourne, Professor David Siegel, SLJ Supervising Attorney Larry Tipton

District Court Trial Training

October 1 - November 12, 2009 (detailed schedule below)
Roxbury Court
Presenters: Bruce Carroll, Michael Doolin, Anthony Ellison, Franco Gobourne, Nancy Hurley, Jill Klowden, Steven Sack, Robert Zanello

This is an eight-week intensive trial training designed for attorneys who have had fewer than ten trials. There is no cost associated with the training, but space is limited with only six spots available for bar advocates.

Classes alternate between lectures and student practice sessions (see below) and runs primarily on Thursday afternoons at the Roxbury Court. The final session features full-length mock trials with volunteer witnesses, judges, and jurors.

All sessions held at Roxbury Court unless otherwise indicated :

- October 1, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Lecture: opening statements

- October 8, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Mock trial: opening statements

- October 15, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Lecture: direct and cross examinations

- October 22, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Mock trial: direct and cross examinations

- October 29, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Lecture: closings

- November 5, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Mock trial: closings

- November 12, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Final Mock Trials (Suffolk Superior Court)

Cultural and Language-Based Defenses (2 CLE Credits)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
CPCS Training Unit,
599 Washington Street,
Boston

Presenters: Dr. Michael O'Loughlin, Boston Universityï¿½s Interpreter Training Program

In our multicultural society, highlighting and explaining cultural and language differences can be the key to a successful defense. This class helps attorneys identify some common language and cultural issues, learn the obligations of the police in dealing with cultural minorities and cover how to find appropriate expert witnesses.

Immigration Consequences (2 CLE credits)

Thursday, April 30, 2009 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Boston University Law School, Room 1570
765 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Presenters include Attorneys Eduardo Masferrer and Susan Church.

Ordinary Defenses, Not-So-Ordinary Defenses, and Extraordinary Defenses for Common Crimes in District Court (2 CLE credits)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Boston University Law School, Room 820
765 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Presented by SLJ Board Member & Panel Attorney Steven Sack.

Rule 14, Discovery, and Pretrial Preparation (2 CLE credits)

Thursday, March 26, 2009 Time: 4:00 - 5:50 pm
Suffolk Law School, Room 285
120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108
Presenters: Chris Dearborn

Chris Dearborn, criminal defense attorney, Suffolk Law clinical professor and SLJ Board Member, will speak on Rule 14 and recent changes to the pretrial conference forms used in the Boston Municipal Courts. SLJ Board Member and Panel Attorney June Jensen will focus on other aspects of pretrial preparation and discovery.

First Appearance for the Defendant: Bail and Other Considerations/
Recent Developments and Trends of Criminal Law (2 CLE credits)

Thursday, January 29, 2009 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Room 285, Suffolk Law School
120 Tremont Street , Boston, MA 02108
- Cost: $10
Presentations by Janice Bassil, Chris Dearborn, June Jensen, and Veronica White

Criminal Mental Health Issues (2 CLE credits)

Thursday, January 22, 2009 Time: 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Room 285, Suffolk Law School,
120 Tremont Street , Boston, MA 02108
- Cost: $10
Presenters: Gregory Clifford, Henry Eaton Esq., Mark Gillis Esq., Dr. Robert Joss, Ph.D., Dr. Jeffrey Miner, Ph.D.

Presenters and panelists include:

- Probation Officer Gregory Clifford, BMC Mental Health Court pilot program

- Henry Eaton, Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney

- Mark Gillis, Esq., CPCS Mental Health Panel

- Dr. Robert Joss, Ph.D., Independent Forensic Evaluators

- Dr. Jeffrey Miner, Ph.D., BMC Court Clinic

The training provides criminal defense attorneys with a rudimentary understanding of the legal, tactical, logistical, and clinical issues involved in representing defendants who may be suffering from some cognitive or mental health deficits. We focus on model approaches to identifying when such issues may be present and help counsel navigate the range of possible implications that such issues can have on the criminal case specifically and criminal process in general.

Jury Trial Skills - Fall 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Suffolk University Law School,4th Floor
Moot Courtroom, Boston

Attendance is mandatory for all SLJ attorneys who have not tried a jury trial to verdict since July 1, 2007, with some exceptions. Registration is available on a limited basis to attorneys not required by SLJ to attend. Please note that attorneys who are required to attend may not use the hours spent in this course toward their annual CLE requirement.

DNA Issues (2 CLE credits)

Tuesday, May 27 from 4:30 ï¿½ 6:30 p.m.
Suffolk University Law School,
120 Tremont Street, Room 335

Presented by Brian Wraxall and Larry Tipton

Presented by Brian Wraxall, Chief Forensic Serologist at the Serological Research Institute, and Larry Tipton, SLJ Supervising Attorney. This course is geared towards attorneys with little experience in the field, but will feature opportunities for more sophisticated discussion as well.

Attendance is good for 2 credits towards our annual 6-credit CLE requirement.

Jury Trial Skills - Spring 2008

This is a two-part program directed towards lawyers who have completed two or less jury trials and have been on the panel for less than five years.

Part I

Saturday, April 12, 2008

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Suffolk University, Sawyer Building Room 429, Boston

Attendees may receive 4 credits toward their annual CLE requirement with SLJ.*

Classes and break-out groups. We will teach cross examination skills, direct examination, openings and closing and case strategies. David Siegel, Randy Gioia, John Salsberg , Rudy Miller and Others will be some of the faculty teaching this course. This date can accommodate up to 20 people.

Part II

Friday, May 2, 2008

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Suffolk Superior Court, various courtrooms, Boston

No cost

Attendees may receive 4 credits toward their annual CLE requirement with SLJ.*

Mock Jury Trials. We will have jurors who will sit and hear the evidence and actors who will play the roles of witnesses, Police and Defendants. They will come "in character." This date can accommodate up to 10 people.

Last year we were unable to accommodate all of the Individuals who asked to do the program, those who we were unable to accommodate last year will be given preference. You can do 4.12.08 and perhaps sit as a juror or help out on the acting for 5.2.08. In either event, it's a lot of fun and we intend to learn a great deal.

* SLJ attorneys attending both days of this course may use the hours to fulfill their annual jury trial requirement for the current fiscal year. Please note, however, that hours spent at a required jury trial course do NOT count toward the annual CLE requirement.

Recent Developments in Criminal Law (2 CLE credits)

Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
New England School of Law, Room 301
154 Stuart Street, Boston
Speakers: June Jensen, Charlie Rankin, and Chauncey Wood

Attendees will receive
Topics:

- Dwyer and Lampron motions

- Crawford issues and Evidentiary Law

- Fourth Amendment updates

- Review of significant Search and Seizure cases from 2007 - 2008

Please contact John Barry (director@sljinc.org or 617-348-0088) to register.

When Things Go Wrong at Trial (1.5 CLE credits)

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
MCBA Conference Room, 4th Floor
Cambridge Courthouse,
40 Thorndike Street, Cambridge MA 02141
Presented by CPCS Senior Trial Counsel, Stephanie Page

Discovery and Trial Preparation

October 4, 2007 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Suffolk Law School, Room 385
Presenters: Michael Doolin

Michael Doolin and others will review for panel members the basic preparatory motions on a case destined for Trial: Motion to Suppress; Motion for Discovery; Dwyer Motion; Lampron Motions; Pretrial Conference Reports. The process of "Preparing for Trial" may be different for each attorney -- the basic outlines of what items require advance preparation and how to do them will be reviewed. CDs with sample motions will be distributed.

Federal Ramifications of Criminal Convictions - Criminal and Immigration Consequences (2 CLE credits)

October 23, 2007 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Suffolk Law School, Room 385
Wendy Wayne, an Immigration Specialist at CPCS, Albie Cullen, a panel member and Federal practitioner and Susan Church, an Immigration Lawyer with Demissie and Church will be the featured speakers.

Over 90% of all District Court Cases which terminate in a Guilty Admission or Finding is done by a Plea. While it may be close to impossible to detail for a client all of the anticipated and future ramifications of a plea, Federal Sentencing Enhancements are a known danger. Likewise, Immigration and Citizenship problems are often the by-product of Criminal Convictions.

What constitutes a "Guilty" for purposes of Federal Court and/or Immigration Law.

What is the effect of a misdemeanor? What is a misdemeanor (Federal and State)?

What triggers deportation? What triggers exclusion from the United States?

What prevents future citizenship?

How does a State Conviction for a misdemeanor (Assault and Battery or Assault and Battery on a Police Officer or a Firearm) impact a subsequent Federal Sentencing Hearing?

What steps can a Practitioner take to avoid these hardships on our clients?

Wendy Wayne, an Immigration Specialist at CPCS, Albie Cullen, a panel member and Federal practitioner and Susan Church, an Immigration Lawyer with Demissie and Church will be the featured speakers.