Free NJC Webcasts in July
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.
JULY 2011 SESSIONS
DECISION MAKING PROCESS: WHY APPELLATE COURTS OVERTURN DECISIONS (Fifty Minutes)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 11:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pacific (2:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Judge David Gersten, Miami, Florida
Description: In this session, Judge David Gersten discusses standards of review employed by appellate courts and examines why appellate courts overturn decisions. The session is designed to help judges recognize the standards of reviews used by appellate courts, understand the origins of different standards of review, and prepare for pre-trial, trial, and appellate proceedings to avoid reversal.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3b5tzjs
This session is a live excerpt from the four-day course, Decision Making. This course will familiarize participants with the factors that affect the decision-making process and assist them in the analysis of their own thinking and style. After attending this course, participants will be able to recognize their own decision-making styles; identify issues of fairness and equity; examine the use of judicial discretion; explore issues of credibility; analyze conflicts of interest and ethical dilemmas; recognize the factors that can cause an appellate court to overturn a decision; and write and communicate decisions more clearly.
JUDICIAL WRITING: COHERENCE AND COHESION (Fifty Minutes)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 10:10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Pacific (1:10 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Professor Elizabeth A. Francis, Reno, NV
Description: Professor Francis will discuss writing techniques that underlie the difference between writing that seems clear and direct and writing that does not seem clear.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3cbm3ak
This session is a live excerpt from the one-week course, Judicial Writing. This course is a concentrated study of basic English composition rules as applied to legal writing. After attending this course, participants will be able to identify the audience and styles of judicial writing; acquire techniques for writing clearly, precisely, and unambiguously; diagnose and revise difficult and unclear writing, including findings of fact and conclusions of law; and define the relationship between writing and decision making.
IS ANYONE LISTENING? (50 Minutes)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 9:00 to 9:50 a.m. Pacific (12:00 to 12:50 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Nancy Yeend, Mediator and Dispute Management Specialist
Description: Explore the 7 Fatal Filters that prevent people from listening, apply communication techniques to inspire listening, and identify quick tips to assess if people are, in fact, listening … or just waiting for their turn to talk.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/428ppd4
This session is a live excerpt from the five-day course, Civil Mediation. Participants who attend the five-day course will be able to conduct a mediation session; outline common standards of conduct and ethical considerations for mediators; handle special problems and avoid classic errors; and summarize the interpersonal dynamics of mediation.
CHILD WITNESSES, STATEMENTS OF CHILDREN, AND CONFRONTATION (Fifty Minutes)
Wednesday, July 27, 11:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pacific (2:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern)
Faculty: Professor Jules Epstein, Wilmington, DE.
Description: In this hour, Professor Jules Epstein explores the evidentiary issues unique to child witness testimony. Topics covered include the capacity of child witnesses, competency of child witnesses, children and suggestibility, and child witnesses and confrontation issues.
FREE Registration: http://tinyurl.com/3cla36q
This session is a live excerpt from the four-day course, Advanced Evidence. Consistently rated one of the top courses at NJC, Advanced Evidence is a must for judges who want to improve their evidentiary rulings. Judges who complete this course will be able to rule on evidentiary issues with greater accuracy and confidence; ensure that the baseline relevancy issues are met and their probative value outweighs unfair prejudice; analyze quickly whether character evidence is admissible, particularly with regard to prior bad acts; describe when habit and custom evidence may be admitted; rule on impeachment objections after analyzing bias, capacity and prior inconsistent statement rules; outline an analytical scheme for ruling on hearsay objections and the exceptions; recognize the judicial role of gatekeeper; and confidently rule on issues relating to lay opinion and expert opinion testimony.