Free NJC Webcasts in August and September
The National Judicial College is continuing to share sessions of in-person courses taking place in Reno, Nevada by streaming live segments of courses over the internet. The sessions are chosen because the subject matter “stands alone” and has wide jurist appeal.
There is no cost to view, but you do need to register. You can see the segment live, or watch the recorded version which will be posted approximately 48 hours after the live version concludes.
Instructions to Register: Follow the link below for the session you wish to attend, either by clicking on the link, or by typing the address into your web browser. You will receive a confirmation e-mail once you are registered with directions to follow. On the day of the webcast, you will be able to sign on 30 minutes early to check your connection. An internet connection and a phone line will enable you to see video of the presenter, view a copy of any documents the presenter uses (such as PowerPoint slides), and hear the audio. If you have any trouble, call NJC at 1-800-25-JUDGE.
AUGUST 2011 SESSIONS
THE GUILTY PLEA PROCESS IN IMPAIRED DRIVING CASES (50 Minutes)
Wednesday, August 17, 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pacific (1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Judge Earl Penrod, Princeton, Indiana
Description: The guilty plea is the most common dispositional method in criminal court including impaired driving cases. This interactive session focuses on the importance of the guilty plea process as an integral part of the criminal justice system. Participants will analyze the constitutional elements of a valid guilty plea and evaluate tools and aides that may assist the judicial officer in developing a “culture of quality” to permit the efficient administration of a criminal docket without compromising the due process rights of the individual defendant.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3zrt36v
This session is a live excerpt from the four-day course, Impaired Driving Case Essentials. The course familiarizes participants with factors that commonly arise in impaired driving cases from the legality of the initial road side stop, to appropriate standardized field sobriety tests and drug recognition expert testimony, evidence challenges, defendant’s rights, courtroom role playing on handling motions, the pharmacological effects of alcohol and various drugs, sentencing principles, DUI/DWI courts and post-adjudication technology.
RULING ON OBJECTIONS IN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS (50 Minutes)
Thursday, August 18, 2011, 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Pacific (4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., Eastern)
Faculty: Judge Toni Boone, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Las Vegas, Nevada
Description: Judge Toni Boone will review principles of evidence and apply these principles to objections raised in administrative proceedings. Objections will be analyzed for proper ground, merit and/or relevant supporting authority. This session is designed to help administrative adjudicators rule on objections correctly and with confidence.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3lhuhvu
This session is a live excerpt from the National Judicial College’s two-week course, Fair Hearing. The course provides specialized education for state and federal administrative law adjudicators seeking a solid foundation in administrative law adjudication. After completing the two-week course, participants are able to utilize sound pre-hearing practice and case management techniques; write decisions that will withstand judicial review; effectively address the issue of caseload management; incorporate alternative dispute resolution techniques where appropriate; and evaluate witness and expert credibility.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY & JUDICIAL ETHICS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES
(50 Minutes)
Monday, August 22, 2011, 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., Pacific (4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., Eastern)
Faculty: Judge Greg Holiday, Social Security Administration, Detroit, Michigan
Description: Judge Greg Holiday will use illustrative examples to help administrative law judges and other administrative adjudicators apply relevant provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct for Administrative Law Adjudicators to their day-to-day activities. This session is designed to help administrative adjudicators adhere to the model of judicial conduct.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/4343s56
This session is a live excerpt from the National Judicial College’s two-week course, Fair Hearing. The course provides specialized education for state and federal administrative law adjudicators seeking a solid foundation in administrative law adjudication. After completing the two-week course, participants are able to utilize sound pre-hearing practice and case management techniques; write decisions that will withstand judicial review; effectively address the issue of caseload management; incorporate alternative dispute resolution techniques where appropriate; and evaluate witness and expert credibility.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND EXPERT TESTIMONY (50 Minutes)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pacific (1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Professor David L. Faigman, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Description: Professor Faigman, who is lead author of the seminal text and treatise on the subject of the convergence of law and science, will highlight the limitations and challenges associated with forensic science and discuss the following topics: current state of forensic science and how it came to be so; ways in which courts might respond to forensic evidence, in light of its inherent limitations; whether the courts should expect more sophisticated methods to be brought to bear to study forensics; and the challenges associated with making forensic science more scientifically sophisticated.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/4452fov
This session is an excerpt from the four-day course, Scientific Evidence. Participants who complete the course are able to recognize the judge’s role as a gatekeeper of scientific evidence and expert testimony; consider the consistencies and contradictions between the cultures of law and science; outline basic statistical concepts commonly used by experts; identify the scientific methods available to researchers studying complex human behavior; describe the proper function and qualifications of forensic pathologists; and, identify key concepts relating to computer forensic evidence.
SEPTEMBER 2011 SESSIONS
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Reduce Recidivism: Health Care Reform & the Criminal Justice System (75 Minutes)
September 21, 2011 at 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Maureen McDonnell, Director for Business & Health Care Strategy Development, TASC
People under criminal justice supervision have high rates of substance use disorders (over 70%) and psychiatric disorders (over 16%) as well chronic medical conditions. Proven models that provide effective substance use and mental health treatment to people under criminal justice supervision have demonstrated substantial reductions in recidivism. The Affordable Care Act provides resources to substantially expand participation in substance abuse, mental health and medical treatment beginning in 2014. This provides the criminal justice system with an unprecedented opportunity to reduce recidivism, building public safety and public health. Participants will be able to describe the expected expansion of alcohol and other drug treatment, opportunities to leverage these resources to reduce incarceration, and identify key state and local agencies for collaborative planning.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3oj2t62
NJC’s Online Library of Previously Recorded Webcasts
If the dates and times listed above don’t fit your schedule, you can view the recorded version of the webcast on NJC's website. They are usually available within 48 hours of the live broadcast. Go to www.judges.org and click on “Courses” and then on “Webcasts.” Alternately, you can go directly to:
http://www.judges.org/webcasts/recorded/index.html
Here are just a few examples of free recorded webcasts available right now on NJC's website:
Child Witnesses, Statements of Children, and Confrontation, Professor Jules Epstein, 50 minutes
Is Anyone Listening? (Mediation), Nancy Yeend, 50 minutes
Decision Making Process: Why Appellate Courts Overturn Decisions, Judge David Gersten, 50 minutes
What Research Tells us About Sex Offenders, Dr. Melissa Piasecki, 75 minutes