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How to Avoid/Void Wrongful Convictions (Community Defenders)

How to Avoid/Void Wrongful Convictions (Community Defenders)

Date and Time

Saturday, January 21, 2017

This event occurred in the past

  • Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Location

Warren Hall, Room 3A

5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110

Cost

0

Details

Some defense attorneys say that an innocent client is both the best and the most difficult client to represent. Defending the innocent is a noble cause, but what if the jury convicts? The pressure is immense. And undoing a wrongful conviction is often impossible because the reviewing courts defer to judges and juries and thus favor finality over accuracy. 

How can we avoid the pitfalls that plague wrongful convictions? This seminar focuses on how to avoid wrongful convictions in the first place, at the trial level. From forensic science to snitches, to mistaken identifications and false confessions, the speakers will focus on factors that the DNA exoneration cases show most commonly result in wrongful convictions. Our speakers are experts in their respective focus areas with both academic and real trial court experience.

The first 50 registrants will receive a free copy of Adam Ben Forado's book, Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Injustice. You will be notified if you qualify.

Cost

Early Registration Rates (received before 1/6/17)
(includes printed materials, coffee and muffins, and lunch)

  • General Registration: $50.00
  • USD Alumni: $40.00
  • Current Federal Defenders and Appellate Defenders: $40.00
  • Office of the Public Defender/Alt. Public Defender/CJA, OAC and ADI Panel Attorneys: $40.00
  • USD Students: $25 (Full reimbursement with proof of attendance)
  • Former Defenders, Inc (1968-1986) or Community Defenders, Inc (1987-1988) Attorneys: No charge
  • USD Faculty: No charge

If you are unable to register online, please email usdlawevent@sandiego.edu.

Registration Rates (received after 1/6/17 and at the door)

  • $65.00 (at-door registration will not guarantee lunch or printed materials)

 

Community Defenders, Inc. Grant Committee

  • Laura Berend, Esq., Professor of Law, University of San Diego
  • Kurt Hermansen, Esq.
  • Alex Landon, Esq.
  • Liz Missakian, Esq.
  • Jean Ramirez, Professor of Law, University of San Diego
  • Lynda Romero, Esq.
  • Zaki Zehawi, Esq.

 

  • Agenda

    Saturday, January 21, 2017

    8:15 – 9 a.m. REGISTRATION/Coffee & muffins
    9 – 10:15 a.m. errors and omissions in forensic science and related legal issues leading to wrongful convictions
    • Hon. Christopher J. Plourd, Presiding Judge of the Imperial County Superior Court
    10:15 – 10:30 a.m. BREAK
    10:30 – 11:45 a.m. So wrong, but so sure: false confessions
    • Richard Leo, Ph.D., Professor of Law and Psychology, University of San Francisco School of Law
    11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH WITH SPEAKER: SNITCH CITY: THE REAL O.C.
    • Scott Sanders, Deputy Public Defenders, Office of the Orange County Public Defender
    1:30 – 2:45 p.m. SO SURE, BUT SO WRONG: EYE WITNESS IDENTIFICATION
    • Mitchell Eisen, Ph.D., Professor, California State University, Los Angeles
  • MCLE

    MCLE

     

    University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that this activity is approved for MCLE in the amount of 5.25 hours of General credit.

  • Location and Directions

    Location and Directions

    From the North: Use I-5 South, exit Sea World Dr. & Tecolote Rd. and proceed left at stoplight toward Morena Blvd. Turn right on Morena, left on Napa, and left on Linda Vista Rd. Travel to the second stoplight to USD's East entrance, turn left and enter campus.

    From the South (or the airport): Use I-5 North, exit Morena Blvd. (signs will say: Morena Blvd. use I-8 East) Stay to the right and follow the signs for Morena Blvd. Take the first right onto Linda Vista Rd. Travel to the third stoplight to USD's East entrance, turn left and enter campus.

    From the East: Use I-8 West, exit at Morena Blvd., go right onto Linda Vista Rd. and travel to the third stoplight to USD's East Entrance, turn left and enter campus. 

    Parking is free and open on the weekends. 

     

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