The BYOC training programs provide intensive training to capital defense teams using the proven "Bring-Your-Own-Case" method. Capital defense is an extraordinarily demanding and complex practice that, when done poorly, represents one of the greatest continuing threats to the right to counsel in today’s criminal justice system. A capital case consists not of one trial, but two - a guilt phase and a penalty phase. Because of the irrevocability of capital punishment, capital cases constitutionally demand unique levels of investigation and preparation by defense counsel. Capital cases are governed by inimitable evidentiary and procedural rules that require specialized jury selection and instructions. As a result, the defense of death penalty cases demands greater resources and training than other criminal cases. Capital defense teams generally lack the training and resources necessary to represent their clients at even the bare minimum that would be acceptable under either American Bar Association’s Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System or, more importantly, the ABA’s Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases. Insufficient training and technical assistance represents a direct threat to capital defendants’ right to counsel and, more generally, undermines confidence in the criminal justice system. Using the Bring-Your-Own-Case model, these training programs provide critical evidence-based training using a demonstrated model to address these and related issues.
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NACDL submitted a proposed conference budget for approval, including the draft agenda for the event.
NACDL received notification of approval for its training program on October 31, 2016.
Following Hurricane Matthew, the approved facility suffered severe damage and notified NACDL on October 28 that it could no longer host the event. NACDL sought and received approval to change the host facility to Melbourne, FL.
NACDL conducted the training program at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront from December 1 to December 3. The training program uses a high-impact, evidence-based curriculum called the "Bring Your Own Case" model, which allows faculty to present both regular sessions and to interact with trainees during break-out brainstorming sessions centered around the trainees' actual cases. Each trainee interacts with every faculty member, often more than once, over the course of the break-out brainstorming sessions.
NACDL collated the program evaluations to determine overall reception of the program as well as trainees' improvement in knowledge and skills. NACDL also began work toward its post-conference financial report.
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