Downloadable agenda and registration form (.pdf)

Our 2024 Spring Training seminar will focus on a variety of topics including cross examination; prosecuting large scale animal abuse cases; lessons to learn from the Holocaust trials; Ohio Department of Health protocol and adult/child sexual assault cases; Other acts and 404(B); a look at problems created by sovereign citizens; and insight on providing access to medication for opioid use disorder. Note we are at a new venue! We hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 18th  

8:00 - 9:00        Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00      Cross Examination- The Best Part of Our Job (once we know what to do)
Cross examining a witness is not just a set of questions, not just a skill, but an art form. Like all art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are many ways to conduct cross examination and this presentation will cover both simple and complex approaches to an effective and successful cross examination.                       
Ronald L. Welch, Prosecutor
Muskingum County

10:00 - 10:15     Break

10:15 - 11:45     Navigating the Complexities of Large-Scale Animal Abuse Cases
This session will review the most common types of large-scale cases, and some tips for successful investigations including information on unique considerations for these types of cases, evidence documentation and planning ahead, which can mitigate many of the on-scene challenges that can arise. Highlighting a recent case example from Portage County, this class will cover how to build and plan your case and discuss the matters that should be addressed prior to seizure day, the day of removal, and subsequent animal care.
Shalimar Oliver, Animal Crimes Manager
Humane Society of the United States and
Victor V. Vigluicci, Prosecutor
Portage County

11:45 - 12:30     Lunch (with OPAIA)

12:30 - 1:30       What You Do Matters: Lessons from the Holocaust
This presentation will focus on ensuring criminal justice, courts, and law-enforcement professionals model ethical behavior and rules of professional conduct and responsibility. Course materials are derived from history, court opinions, and caselaw arising from the application of racial legislation, civil rights violations, and
de-humanizing treatment of people. Lessons also come directly from the Nuremberg trials where Judge Robert Jackson took leave of the United States Supreme court to preside over the trials. The trials directly relate to crimes against humanity for unethical practice of law and disparate human treatment.
Todd Larson, EdD, MSL, FABC
Director, What You Do Matters Institute and
Elizabeth Burtin Ortiz, Executive Director
Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys' Advisory Council

1:30 - 1:45          Break

1:45 - 3:45          What You Do Matters: Lessons from the Holocaust continues…

3:45 – 4:00         Break

4:00 – 5:00         Team Approach to Adult Sexual Assault Cases
For prosecutors handling adult or child sexual abuse offenses, the Ohio Department of Health protocol can be your best friend. knowing the protocol for adult sexual assault examinations can help you better prepare the medical provider in your case to testify. This session will provide an overview of the Adult/Adolescent protocol & a starting point for developing a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) for a coordinated community response.
Kara Keating, Senior Assistant Attorney General and
William Walton, Senior Assistant Attorney General 
Special Prosecutions Section
Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

Friday, April 19th

8:00 - 9:00           Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30         It’s a Big Deal – “Other Acts” Evidence under Evid.R. 404(B) & Issues of Pretrial Notice, Motive, and Modus Operandi
With hearsay, the admissibility of “other acts” evidence under Evid.R. 404(B) tops the list of most-litigated evidentiary questions faced by prosecutors. This presentation will review the basic operation of the rule in light of State v. Hartman, 161 Ohio St.3d 214, 2020-Ohio-4440, including the question of whether a particular act is even really subject to the rule as “other act” evidence. It will then focus on three parts of the rule: what pretrial notice is required; how and why motive evidence would be admissible; and what qualifies as “modus operandi” evidence.
Steven L. Taylor
Legal Research and Staff Counsel
Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association

10:30 - 10:45       Break

10:45 - 11:45       Tackling the Troublemakers - A Look at Problems Created by Sovereign Citizens, Inmates, and Others
Criminal defendants can come up with some unique legal arguments, but why would anyone claim the fringe on the American flag in the courtroom divests the judge of jurisdiction over the case? And when inmates are sitting in prison with nothing but time on their hands, what kinds of schemes are they cooking up to make money, or worse—exact vengeance on the system? These questions and more will be addressed in this presentation.
Leigh S. Prugh, Assistant Prosecutor
Lorain County

11:45 - 12:45       Lunch

12:45 – 1:45        Benefits of Providing Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
This presentation will focus on two areas that will be important for prosecutors. First, some prosecutors and defense attorneys are using specialized dockets, probation, and other court related programs to ensure treatment is considered when resolving criminal cases. Ensuring access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder may reduce recidivism. When prosecutors have the knowledge about treatment, they can better negotiate with the defense about viable options and establish a care plan that will hopefully stay in place beyond the criminal case. Second, transitioning back into the community can be problematic for people with opioid use disorder because their tolerance for opiates may have been reduced in prison. Multiple studies show the first weeks following incarceration are associated with a significant increase in overdose deaths. Like other disease spaces, it will benefit jails to provide access to treatment while in their care. And jails that are interested in ensuring access to medications for opioid use disorder will routinely have questions for prosecutors about certain aspects of programs that may make sense for the jail.
Amy O’Grady, Criminal Justice Access Director at Indivior and
Judy Wolford, Pickaway County Prosecutor

We have requested approval for 10 hours of general CLE from the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education.

The registration fees for OPAA members are $300.00 for both days, $200.00 for one day only. Registration fees for non-members are $600.00 and $400.00. The fee covers all continental breakfasts, breaks, and lunches. To help defray the cost of food guarantees, cancellations after Friday, April 5th, will be assessed a $100.00 penalty if scheduled to attend both days, and a $60.00 penalty if scheduled for one day only. Please send registrations to OPAA by April 8th.

OPAA is now providing all course materials in electronic format. Approximately 48 hours prior to the course date, seminar registrants will receive an email that will include a link to the secure course materials. Since reliable wi-fi access at meeting facilities cannot be guaranteed, we suggest registrants download the materials to their devices or print the material for use during the seminar.

The room rate at the Hilton Columbus at Polaris is $159.00 for single or double occupancy. All beds are King size. Phone reservations may be made directly at the Hilton Columbus at Polaris number (614) 885-1600 and ask for the Reservations Department or their direct toll-free reservation number 1-888-864-8055. It is imperative that individuals indicate your group affiliation when making your reservations which is 2024 Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys group code 922. Online reservations can be made at http://tinyurl.com/24ssf24x The cut-off date for our room rate is Monday, March 25, 2024, at midnight. Check-in time is 3:00PM and check-out time is 12:00PM. Upon check-in guests will be asked to verify their departure date. At that time, scheduled departure dates can be altered. Early check-out changes made thereafter shall be subject to a $75.00 administrative fee. Departure extensions are based upon availability. On-site complimentary parking is available, but valet parking is not available.

A credit card is required for reservations. In the event of cancellation, no cancellation fees will be charged if you cancel before 11:59 PM local time on April 16, 2024. A hold may be placed on your card account for the full anticipated amount to be owed to the hotel, including estimated incidentals, through your date of check-out and such hold may not be released for 72 hours from the date of check-out or longer at the discretion of your card issuer.

To avoid paying tax, accommodation for each guest needs to provide a State of Ohio Sales Tax Exemption Form and if applicable the City of Columbus Tax Exemption form, preferably upon arrival. The Tax form(s) may also be sent in advance by email to Angela Martin at amartin@hiltonpolaris.com or Christine Bowman at cbowman@hiltonpolaris.com. The email must contain the reservation information for the guest and their arrival date. If the county wishes to pay by card but the guest is not permitted to carry a company credit card, then you may contact Angela or Christine for a credit card authorization form, and they will send you a Canary Link. The credit card must have the company name on the card. The name on the tax exemption forms must match the name on the credit card. Personal payment, even though it will be reimbursed by the office, is not tax exempt by state law.

Our contract with the Hilton Columbus at Polaris anticipates that attendees will pay the above rate of $159.00 for guest rooms. Attendees SHOULD NOT request the government rate as it violates the spirit, if not the letter, of our agreement.