Past Trainings

NDS Staff Attorney, Addie Satchwell will provide an overview of litigating an OUI case in Michigan. She will provide an overview of the law, tips on issue spotting, and practical litigation strategies.

In part one of this two part series, Blase Kearney will cover the basics of Daubert He will discuss Daubert, its factors, and the impact on litigation and representation of clients where an expert may be called by either party.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

In part two of this two part series, Blase will provide practical guidance when conducting a Daubert hearing including tips on direct, cross, and potential arguments to the court.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court, do not register.

Rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8th 12-1:30pm

In December 2025, the Michigan State Police Science Division hosted a two-day conference, open to defense attorneys,

prosecutors, police, judges, and forensic scientists. In this training Erin Van Campen and Jason Eggert will provide key

takeaways from the conference. Topics will include practice tips for obtaining and requesting discovery, preserving the right to confront

forensic analysts, and highlighting forensic disciplines where defense attorneys should consider filing Daubert motions and

engage defense experts.

In this session, Natalie will share helpful ideas for how to prepare for oral argument at preliminary examinations and motion hearings. She will also share tips for how to effectively advocate for your clients when appearing in front of different jurists.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

In this session, Erin will provide a practical overview of SORA and its many requirements. Attendees can expect to walk away with an understanding of how SORA works, tips for negotiating pleas to avoid SORA consequences, and how best to advise clients about SORA. This session will also include an overview of legal updates since the original version of this session was presented in 2023.

In this session Lauren and Natalie will go over the ethical rules associated with our practice in an ever evolving technological world.  They will go over cautions to look for in interacting with prosecutors and their use of AI and things to look for in policing as AI tools develop.  They will then explore ways that defenders can ethically use AI to elevate their practice when used correctly.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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In this session, Lauren and Natalie will provide an overview for how to prepare those especially challenging cases for trial. They will cover how to make sure you have run down every possible lead to make sure you are not overlooking any promising defenses. Lauren and Natalie will then share ideas for how to make the most of tough facts in order to win that “unwinnable” case.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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Erin and Natalie will present a legal overview of the different legal challenges that can be made to confessions. Attendees can expect to learn how to issue-spot and litigate challenges to confessions at exam and in pretrial litigation. In addition, Erin and Natalie will share practical guidance for litigating Walker hearings and presenting a defense that includes a false confession.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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Cross–Examining the Complainant in a Sex case—especially where the witness is a child sex—can be one of the most challenging tasks for even the most experienced trial lawyer. However, even though the witness is a child, that does not mean they have to be handled with “kid gloves”.  While cross–examining a sex complainant can be delicate, it does not mean they cannot be as compelling and probative as with any other type of witness. You can impeach and challenge the witness in a way that will effectively undermine the trust that the jury places in that witness’ testimony. This presentation will discuss the style and content necessary to conduct an effective cross–examination of a complainant in a sex case. We will discuss some of the chapters that can be effective in developing an effective story of innocence. This presentation will also address when a witness can “give you permission” to be more direct and “confrontational” in your style of cross examining. We will discuss some other important challenges (e.g., runaway witness, a crying witness) that can occur during a cross examination and effective ways of dealing with each. Sex cases can be won. But they must be handled in a different manner than any other type of case. This presentation will provide you the tools necessary to develop and present an effective story of innocence through your cross examination of the complainant in a sex case.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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Erin and Natalie will present a legal overview of the different legal challenges that can be made to confessions. Attendees can expect to learn how to issue-spot and litigate challenges to confessions at exam and in pretrial litigation. In addition, Erin and Natalie will share practical guidance for litigating Walker hearings and presenting a defense that includes a false confession.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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Anne Yantus, a member of the newly formed Michigan Sentencing Commission, will review new developments in Michigan felony sentencing from 2025-2026.

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Join Alessandro Clark-Ansani of Civil Rights Corps in person at NDS Detroit or via zoom for a training and conversation on bail, pretrial detention, and how to best advocate for your client’s pretrial release. The training will cover federal and state law concerning bail and pretrial release, including best practices for bail advocacy from your client’s first appearance to challenging an unlawful detention order on appeal. The training will also discuss ways you can enlist Civil Rights Corps’ help in your bail litigation. Civil Rights Corps is a national organization that specializes in combating unlawful pretrial detention and cash bail policies, with legal victories throughout the country. You can read about their work here.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

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DNA can be daunting and often is portrayed by the government as being unbeatable. In this session, Andre will teach the basics of DNA in an accessible and digestible way and how to challenge DNA evidence in court including common prevalent things to look out for including DNA mixtures and multiple source samples. Andre will teach best practices for issue spotting in DNA cases.

If you prosecute full or part time, as an officer of the court do not register.

Register Now