Sixth Amendment

This subgrantee seeks assistance in developing a two-day training aimed at honing criminal defense skill as well as fostering a sense of community among defenders. This reporting period we surveyed defense lawyers across the state to determine the best topics and format for delivering training. We also did outreach to the University of North Dakota Law in order to extend the training to include law students to create a pipeline to the defender community.

PDC is seeking assistance in developing best practices around vertical representation (continuous representation for the life of the case). PDC would like to determine best ways to collect data and track vertical representation across the state, learn what areas need to be improved, and educate stakeholders on the benefits of successful vertical representation practices.

This TTA will focus on developing model practices aimed at increasing the diversity of juries in Harris County. We hosted a kick-off meeting on 10/26/2021 that included a number of public defenders from Harris County as well as jury expert, Professor Nina Chernoff. A letter was drafted so that we could begin discussions with other criminal legal system stakeholder on best ways to increase jury diversity.
Jan.-June 2022: Issued correspondence March, April, and June to no avail. Will issue a formal letter to determine whether TTA is still a needed and a possibility.

Provide technical training assistance to develop a mission, vision, and values for this new office including connecting subgrantee with mentors, field experts, and other resources aimed at creating a holistic defense.
January - June 2022: Conducted monthly meetings and set a conference date of November 17-19, 2022. Contracted with National Association for Public Defense to assist in developing an agenda, recruit speakers, and content.

Felony deenders have not had an opportunity to hone their core trial skills and due to ongoing closures of courts, more experienced attorneys need refreshers on critical trial skills. This training will focus on developing a theory of the case, how to impeach witnesses, opening and closing, and voir dire.

In this three-part webinar series titled “From the Community to the Courtroom: Increasing Diversity and Access to the Jury Box” the nation’s leading jury experts, scholars, and practitioners discussed why diverse juries matter, the challenges to achieving jury diversity, as well as what solutions and reforms are on the horizon.

In this three-part webinar series titled “From the Community to the Courtroom: Increasing Diversity and Access to the Jury Box” the nation’s leading jury experts, scholars, and practitioners discussed why diverse juries matter, the challenges to achieving jury diversity, as well as what solutions and reforms are on the horizon.

In this three-part webinar series titled “From the Community to the Courtroom: Increasing Diversity and Access to the Jury Box” the nation’s leading jury experts, scholars, and practitioners discussed why diverse juries matter, the challenges to achieving jury diversity, as well as what solutions and reforms are on the horizon.

TTA services will include:
Developing training and/or educational materials for stakeholders regarding Restorative Justice, its efficacy, its limitations, and key considerations in the creation of a Restorative Justice Program.
Assisting in formation and development of local collaborative which will guide and inform community consideration for operation of a Restorative Justice program in Prince William County
Assisting TTA Client in developing data strategies and measures to evaluate a Restorative Justice Program.

JFA Team and the TTA Client will work to 1) identify promising practices to increase the recruitment and retention of public defense providers in the state’s rural communities; 2) identify the best practices for billing and compensation of court appointed and contract counsel; 3) identify best practices for providing meaningful oversight and evaluation of court appointed and contract counsel.