2005 Seminars

Learn what happens after your client is committed to the MDOC, including prisoner classification, parole eligibility, parole revocation procedures, prisoner SAI bootcamp, and parole board proceedings. This information will not only give a better understanding of the entire criminal justice system but allow you to properly advise your client and be aware fo these issues prior to sentence. Panelists include Kathleen Schaefer, a former MDOC manager and past president of the Michigan Corrections and Stuart Friedman, attorney in private practice specializing in post-conviction and MDOC related appeals  and former chairman of the Michigan State Bar Prisons and Correction.

The Honorable Vera Massey Jones will examine common discovery issues. The Honorable George W. Crockett, II and Attorney Steven Fishman will discuss effective jury voir dire.

MRE 702 and 703 have been changed recently, and it may be more difficult to qualify experts to testify. Learn from several experienced practitioners how to effectively challenge “expert” opinion evidence and how to make sure you select someone the Court will recognize as an expert.

In recent years, drunk driving cases have received greater public scrutiny and the legislature has toughened the penalties. How can you effectively represent your client in these cases? Panelists discussing the handling of drunk driving cases will be Macomb County Sheriff Mark A. Hackel, Lt. Robert Taylor of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department and Patrick T. Barone, an attorney whose practice is devoted exclusively to defending drunk driving cases.

This session will be devoted to the frequent and very important interplay between the state and federal courts here in Wayne County .

What is the very best for your client? What if he has cases pending in state and federal court? What if he is a target of a federal criminal investigation?  Premier defense attorney Margaret Raben, First Vice President of the Criminal Defense attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) will speak on the ever increasing importance of federalizing constitutional issues in state trial proceedings.

Miriam Siefer, Esq., Chief Defender of the Eastern District’s Federal Defender’s Office, will talk about Project Safe Neighborhood, and the latest program in the U.S. Attorney’s office that may soon be affecting your client’s future. Both speakers will then provide their “Top Ten” tips, helpful hints and tactics to consider when handling the federal criminal case in U.S. District Court.

Be sure to attend this lively and informative session.

Wayne State University Law Professor David A. Moran will address the landmark decision in Crawford v Washington, the 2004 United States Supreme Court decision that radically changed rules on confrontation of witnesses. He will examine both settled and unsettled issues and provide valuable practice tips for trial attorneys.

Dr. Michael Abramsky will present a detailed explanation of the psychological tests administered in competency and criminal responsibility evaluations. This will enable trial lawyers to understand the test significant from the clinician’s point of view.

Kathleen Lormin and Deborah Hendrix from Wayne County Community Corrections and Residential Treatment Services will provide an outline of services available to our clients in the community both in-patient and out-patient.

Back by popular demand, an informative and provocative review of the latest and greatest Michigan appellate case law and decisions by two of the stalwarts of the Criminal Advocacy Program – Cooley Law School Professors Ronald J. Bretz and James M. Peden.

Professor Charles Whitebread returns once again to analyze the decisions of the United States Supreme Court.