This webinar, hosted by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), is part of APA’s Conviction Integrity Webinar Series. Presenter Patricia Cummings from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office will discuss the work of Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) in Dallas and Philadelphia “where CIU prosecutors reviewed files and interviewed witnesses only to discover ‘material’ Brady information that had been suppressed for decades.” Cummings will discuss the challenges that came with pursuing these cases.
The following questions provide context for the webinar:
“CIUs across the nation not only regularly face practical issues regarding the identification of such misconduct but they also must grapple with complicated questions such as:
- How does a CIU prove the misconduct occurred (must the offending prosecutor testify)?
- Did a particular mens rea lead to the suppression of Brady information (or is the culpable mental state of the prosecutor even relevant)?
- How do you explain to a victim that a conviction must be vacated because a prosecutor cheated (particularly when the evidence tells you the person convicted is in fact guilty)?”
Note: This webinar is intended for prosecutors and allied professionals.