Hyatt on Capitol Square, Columbus
April 14 and 15th, 2011

The Spring Training Seminar this year covers several subjects that have been requested by you folks in the trenches, along with some that we haven’t covered in quite some time. We hope that you will join us for Seattle-based Ron Clark who is back to talk about the trial process, along with local speakers presenting on cellular phone issues that may arise in a criminal cases; the use of technology in the courtroom; an overview of evidence rules 401, 403, and 404; voir dire in domestic violence and sexual assault cases; and pill mill and oxycodone issues. We will also have Dr. James Karpawich back to speak on mental disorder claims that might arise.

Thursday, April 14

8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30 Advocacy Goes To The Movies
With the aid of movies, “Advocacy Goes to the Movies” explores advocacy from case preparation through closing argument. Movies are valuable resources first because they can effectively illustrate advocacy planning, analysis and strategies. Second, trial work is to a degree theater, and, from the theater, we can learn techniques for how to deliver our case theory in an interesting way that will engage the judge and jury. Third, movies enrich the continuing legal education experience – the movie clips selected for this presentation have as a common denominators that they are entertaining and from four-star films.
Ronald H. Clark, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence
Seattle University Law School
Seattle, Washington

10:30 - 10:45 Break

10:45 - 12:00 Advocacy Goes To The Movies, continued

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 Cell Phone Technology For Prosecutors
Cell phone technology can help to make or break a criminal case. Cell phone calls, texts, photographs, and tower locations can be valuable evidence in any criminal prosecution. This program will teach prosecutors from all experience levels the basics about how cell phones work, what evidence is available from cell phones, and how to obtain the evidence using sample subpoenas and search warrants. Prosecutors will learn how to use cell phone evidence at trial by understanding how to admit cell phone records, how to direct a custodian of records or expert witness, and how to design trial exhibits. The course will include sample predicate questions, templates, and the latest Ohio and federal case law.
Brian M. McDonough
Assistant Prosecutor, Major Trial Unit
Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorneys Office

2:00 - 2:15 Break

2:15 - 3:15 Science And Technology In The Courtroom
This presentation will show how to try cases via the assistance of a computer. What equipment you need, how to set it up in a courtroom (logistics), and how to comply with the rules of evidence. We will demonstrate how Lucas County has used technology with great success in voir dire, opening statements, lay witnesses, expert witness, and closing arguments. We will have hundreds of examples of some amazing techniques that we have used.
J. Christopher Anderson, Assistant Prosecutor
and
Thomas Staff, Ph.D., Investigator
Both of the Lucas County Prosecuting Attorneys Office

3:15 - 4:15 Relevancy, “Other Acts” & 403 Standards
This discussion of the Evidence Rules and recent case law will focus on the topics of relevance under Evid.R. 401, “other act” evidence under Evid.R. 404(B), and the standards for excluding evidence under Evid.R. 403(A) & (B).
Steven L. Taylor
Assistant Prosecutor, Chief Counsel Appellate Division
Franklin County Prosecuting Attorneys Office

Friday, April 15

8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 The Impact Of Mental Disorders And Expert Witness Testimony On Criminal Court Proceedings
Major mental disorders may be relevant to legal issues such as competency to stand trial, sanity at the time of the act, commitment after acquittal by reason of insanity, death penalty mitigation, and juvenile bindover. Discussion will review the criteria for the major mental disorders, the validity of these diagnoses, and their application to specific criminal cases.
Dr. James J. Karpawich, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Hudson, Ohio

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:15 The Impact Of Mental Disorders And Expert Witness Testimony On Criminal Court Proceedings, continued

11:15 - 12:15 Asking the Right Questions: Maximizing Voir Dire
This training will address how to make voir dire most effective by asking questions that are meaningful to the particular case that is being tried. There will be a focus on voir dire relating to child sexual abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
Ronald L. Welch
Assistant Prosecutor
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorneys Office

12:15 - 1:15 Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 The Prescription Drug Epidemic
This presentation will provide information about the prescription drug epidemic and the impact it is having on our society and in the ever increasing number of unintentional deaths caused by prescription medications. Also a discussion of various techniques involved in the investigation and prosecution of prescription drug abuse cases.
Detective Dennis Luken
Warren County Drug Task Force

2:15 - 2:30 Break

2:30 - 3:30 The Prescription Drug Epidemic, continued

OPAA has requested Supreme Court approval for 10.75 hours of CLE credits.

The room rate at the Hyatt on Capitol Square is $139.00 for single or double occupancy. Room reservations may be made by phone at 888-421-1442; or online at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/OPAAspring2011. If you choose the online option, be aware that you can only book three (3) rooms at a time. If you need to make a larger number of reservations, you can more easily do so by contacting Katja Gisi, Hyatt Convention Services Manager, at 614-365-4581. WHICHEVER METHOD YOU USE, PLEASE MAKE MULTIPLE RESERVATIONS USING INDIVIDUAL NAMES, AND GET INDIVIDUAL CONFIRMATION NUMBERS, RATHER THAN MAKING ALL RESERVATIONS IN THE SAME NAME. Some counties have had disastrous results when canceling a reservation that was made under a single name and a single confirmation number for multiple persons. Be sure to tell the Hyatt you are with OPAA to obtain our rate. To avoid paying tax, accommodations must be paid for with either an office check or credit card. Personal payment, even though it will be reimbursed by the office, is not tax exempt by state law. The cut-off date for our block of rooms is Monday, March 21st. Please note the following: The Hyatt has a 24-hour room cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance of 3:00 p.m. of the day of arrival to avoid being charged a one-night penalty as a no show. Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m., and check-out time is 12:00 noon. Early check in and late check out are based on availability.

Our contract with the Hyatt anticipates that attendees will pay the above rate of $139.00 for sleeping rooms. Attendees SHOULD NOT request the government rate as it violates the spirit, if not the letter, of our agreement.

The registration fee is $200.00 for both days. This covers all handout materials, continental breakfasts, breaks, and lunches on both days. The fee for one day only is $125.00. Due to the expense of producing the training manual, a $45.00 penalty will apply to all cancellations made through April 8th, and a copy of the manual will be sent. To help defray the cost of food guarantees, cancellations after April 8th will be assessed a $100.00 penalty if scheduled to attend both days, and a $75.00 penalty if scheduled for one day only. Please send registrations to OPAA by April 2nd.

(If any registrant has special dietary needs, please have them contact Delores at 614-221-1266 so that advance arrangements can be made with the hotel.)