2012 OPAA Spring Training

Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square April 19 and 20, 2012

The cutoff date for our block of rooms is Monday, March 26th!

The Spring Training Seminar this year will have Ron Clark (Seattle University School of Law) back to discuss premier pretrial and trail techniques (including 1.0 hour of ethics); Bruce Hennes (Hennes Paynter Communications) speaking about crisis communications and media relations (including .5 hour of professionalism by Summit County prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh); Dr. John Sprague (Ohio Northern University) speaking on the pharmacology and toxicology of “club drugs” and bath salts; Cindy Kuhr and Corey Johnson (BCI&I) discussing closed circuit testimony; Phil Bogdanoff speaking on defense attorneys’ courtroom conduct; and Delaware, Fayette, and Knox county prosecutors will be discussing how to design, set up, and fund diversion programs.

Thursday, April 19

9:00 - 10:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

10:00 - 10:45 The Pharmacology & Toxicology Of Bath Salts And Club Drugs
In 2011, the number of emergency room visits as a result of exposure to “bath salts” dramatically increased. This program will explain the basic pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms by which these agents induce drug seeking behavior and toxicity. Bath salts are related to the club drugs ecstasy and methamphetamine and as such these agents will also be reviewed.
Dr. Jon E. Sprague
Ohio Northern University

10:45 - 11:45 Closed Circuit: A Safe Place To Testify
This workshop will provide information on closed circuit options for those working in the criminal justice system. This tool is available for investigators, prosecutors, advocates and judges. Closed circuit testimony for child sexual abuse victims can increase the ability for full disclosure during the court proceeding. The actual trial process is intimidating. We will provide you with options that may reduce trauma to the child and assist you in this process.
Cindy Kuhr, Victim Specialist and
Corey Johnson, Special Agent
BCI&I

11:45 - 12:45 Lunch

12:45 - 2:00 Premier Pretrial And Trial Techniques And Professional Ethics
Based upon the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, this presentation examines winning pretrial and trial techniques from investigation and charging through closing argument. As the discussion moves chronologically through phases of pretrial and trial, it also explores significant areas of vulnerability for prosecutorial error that appellate courts have considered under the rubric “prosecutorial misconduct” and offers ways to make sure no prosecutorial error is committed. This presentation is eligible for 1.0 hour of ethics.
Ronald H. Clark
Distinguished Practitioner in Residence
Seattle University Law School

2:00 - 2:15 Break

2:15 - 4:00 Premier Pretrial and Trial Techniques continues...

Friday, April 20

8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30 Managing The Media: Lawyers, The Press And Crisis Communications
In the first part of this presentation, attorneys will hear about the canons and case law surrounding the relationship between PR activities, PR counsel and the management of the media, often a critical component of case strategy in litigation practice. The remainder of the presentation will focus on establishing & maintaining “control of the message”; when a reporter calls – making points and not just answering questions; what reporters expect; what newsmakers should expect; defining and creating key messages; reporter’s agenda vs. the attorney’s agenda; the fundamental differences between print, television and radio interviews and how each require different skill sets; dealing with the press proactively and reactively; “off the record, not for attribution” and other advanced techniques; and creating relationships with reporters and editors. The first half hour of this presentation is eligible for .5 credit hours of professionalism and will include A Lawyer’s Creed and Aspirational Ideals.
Sherri Bevan Walsh, Prosecutor, Summit County and
Bruce Hennes, Managing Partner
Hennes Paynter Communications
Cleveland

10:30 - 10:45 Break

10:45 - 12:15 Managing The Media: continues...

12:15 - 1:15 Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 A Prosecutor’s Response to Courtroom Conduct and Misconduct
A prosecutor is trained to control the courtroom in order that the State and the defendant can have a fair trial. However, a defendant or defense attorney can easily place inadmissible evidence before the jury. What if the defense attorney continually ignores the judge’s directions when the judge rules that evidence is inadmissible? What is the prosecutor’s response? This seminar will examine situations where the State must react to unexpected conduct in the courtroom.
Philip Bogdanoff
Retired Summit County Assistant Prosecutor

2:15 - 2:30 Break

2:30 - 3:30 Prosecutor Office Diversion Programs: Diverting Mistakes Into Opportunities
Pre-Trial diversion programs are a statutorily allowed alternative to traditional prosecution of certain adult offenders. Diversion allows appropriate offenders to avoid a felony conviction, either pre or post indictment, by being accepted into and completing a quasi-probationary period of a specific time tailored to the offender. The case is diverted from the prosecution track during the time period of the diversion program. After successful completion of this program, the indictment is dismissed and upon application of the offender, the indictment can be expunged. If the offender does not successfully complete the program the prosecution is reactivated. Failure to successfully complete the diversion results in the prosecution of the offender. This presentation will discuss programs in three differently sized counties and includes the statutory requirements, the set up of the individual programs, the implementation and the pros and cons of each program.
Carol O’Brien, Prosecuting Attorney, Delaware County
John C. Thatcher, Prosecuting Attorney, Knox County
Jess Weade, Prosecuting Attorney, Fayette County

OPAA has received approval from the Supreme Court for
9.75 hours of CLE credits,
including 1 hour of ethics
and .50 hour of professionalism.

The room rate at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square is $141.00 for single or double occupancy. Room reservations may be made by phone at 800-325-3535; or online at http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/OPAAspring2012. If you choose the online option, be aware that you can only book three (3) rooms at a time. 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 Sheraton you are with OPAA to obtain our rate. To avoid paying tax, accommodations must be paid for with either an office check or office 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 26th. Please note the following: The Sheraton 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 Sheraton anticipates that attendees will pay the above rate of $141.00 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 $250.00 for both days. This covers all handout materials, continental breakfasts, breaks, and lunches on both days. The fee for one day only is $150.00. Due to the expense of producing the training material, a $50.00 penalty will apply to all cancellations made through April 13th, and a copy of the material will be sent. To help defray the cost of food guarantees, cancellations after April 13th will be assessed a $150.00 penalty if scheduled to attend both days, and a $100.00 penalty if scheduled for one day only. Please send registrations to OPAA by April 6th.