Confronting the Adam Walsh Child and Protection Safety Act of 2006

Amy Baron-Evans, National Sentencing Resource Counsel, Boston, MA

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 was enacted on July 27, 2006.  In addition to establishing a national sex offender registry law, the Act made significant changes to sexual abuse, exploitation, and transportation crimes. The Act created new substantive crimes, expanded federal jurisdiction over existing crimes, and increased statutory minimum and/or maximum sentences.  This session discusses how to address its potential impact on your cases.

Experts - When You Should Consider Using Them and How to Obtain Their Services

Eric Vos, AFPD, District of Maine

A discussion of the use of experts in a criminal case, both pretrial and during trial, including admissibility of evidence, qualifying the expert to testify and cross-examining the government’s expert.

Supreme Court and Fourth Circuit Update

Brian J. Kornbrath, FPD, Northern District of West Virginia

Compilation of significant criminal decisions handed down by the United States Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals during the last year.

Demystifying Mental Health Experts

Professor William Fremouw, Psychology, West Virginia University

The ABC’s of understanding what a mental health expert can and cannot reliably and credibly do for you in the context of competency evaluations; criminal responsibility defenses at trial; and sentencing defenses such as diminished capacity.

How to Get a Below-Guideline Sentence in a Post-Booker World

SARA NOONAN, National Sentencing Resource Counsel, Boston, MA

This session will provide an update of the current state of federal sentencing law and will discuss how to use statistics, studies, and legislative history to show that particular guidelines, and the guidelines in general, do not comply with the  §3553(a) purposes of sentencing.

Effective Use of Courtroom Technology

L. Richard Walker, AFPD, Northern District of West Virginia  

Daniel W. Sczerba, Computer Systems Administrator

Federal Public Defender Office for Northern District of West Virginia

This Session will exhibit the benefits offered by Courtroom technology in order to present a more compelling claim to the trier of fact, be it judge or jury.  Demonstrations will include Powerpoint; Trial Director; and various software programs available to enhance the quality of examinations of witnesses and opening statements and closing arguments.

Ethical Problems Facing a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Brian J. Kornbrath, FPD, Northern District of West Virginia

SHAWN ANGUS MORGAN, Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia

James B. Zimarowski, Esquire, Morgantown, West Virginia

Barry P. Beck, Esquire, Martinsburg, West Virginia

Stephen G. Jory, esquire, Elkins, West Virginia

These panelists will discuss ethical issues that commonly arise in criminal cases, both state and federal, and attempt to provide practical answers to tough questions relating to professional responsibility.

This seminar is worth 8.0 WV MCLE credits, including .8 Ethics credits and 1.1 Law Office Management credits.