Contract Defender Training — October 17–18, 2024

It is time to RSVP for Contract Defender Training. All the details are below, but here is what we need from you right now to reserve your spot:

1. Do you need hotel lodging on Wednesday, October 16 and/or Thursday, October 17?
2. Do you have dietary restrictions, and if so, what are they (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)?

Please send your RSVP email with the above information to:

Case.Contracting@mspd.mo.gov

Attorneys who attended Spring Training in March 2024 will be placed on a wait list and admitted as space permits after September 6. Preference will be given to those who did not attend Spring Training.

Lodging: For those with a commute of 60 miles or more (from office or home, whichever is closer), lodging will be provided on the evenings of October 16–17 at the Drury Plaza Hotel Columbia East, 3100 Interstate 70 Dr. SE. The hotel offers free parking, a hot breakfast, and a free 5:30 Kickback. MSPD’s training department will register you and your lodging will be direct-billed to MSPD Training — do not pay out of pocket. MSPD will not reimburse mileage to attend training. For hotel amenities, visit druryhotels.com — Drury Plaza Hotel Columbia East.

Location: The training will be held at MSPD’s Training Center:

Schedule: Training will be held Thursday, October 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and Friday, October 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Meals: For those staying at the hotel, breakfast will be provided Thursday and Friday mornings. Lunch will be provided on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 as part of the training. Other meals are not reimbursed by MSPD.

Dress: Attire is casual. Come comfortable, ready to learn, work hard, and have fun.

Program Description: MSPD Contract Defender Training

Introduction: MSPD’s case contract defenders have taken on a greater role in indigent defense, advocating for nearly 15% of MSPD’s clients. Last year, 23% of case assignments were drug cases, 21% were probation violations, and a substantial number involved DWIs. Many of these clients have mental health issues to navigate. Based on case assignments and a pre-conference survey, MSPD developed this training program to meet your most pressing needs. The 2-day program equips legal professionals with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively defend clients in drug offenses, DWIs, probation violations, and mental health-related cases.

Program Objectives

• Enhance Understanding of Drug Cases: Explore drug laws including possession and related offenses, and defenses such as illegal search and seizure, lack of probable cause, and violations of constitutional and statutory rights.
• Mastering DWI Defense: Develop expertise in defending clients accused of DWIs, with a focus on field sobriety tests.
• Navigating Probation Violations: Analyze technical versus substantive violations, learn strategies for hearings, and advocate for alternatives to revocations.
• Litigating Mental Health Issues: Understand how mental health intersects with criminal defense, including competency evaluations, mental health defenses, and advocating for treatment over incarceration.

Key Topics Covered

• Drug Cases Defense Strategies: Constitutional rights protections (Fourth Amendment); establishing lack of knowledge or control; statutory updates and helpful case law; defense instructions
• DWI Defense Techniques: Field sobriety tests and their reliability; breathalyzer and blood test challenges; alternative explanations and theories for a successful defense
• Probation Violations Defense: Understanding probation terms and conditions; procedural rights during violation hearings; mitigating factors and presenting compelling arguments
• Mental Health in Criminal Defense: Dealing with clients who challenge us; competency evaluations and implications; mental health defenses; diversion programs and treatment options
• Trending Topics: Artificial intelligence — ethical pitfalls and potential benefits; case law update; holistic defense services available to case contracting

Training Methodology

• Interactive Learning: Engage in sessions with interactive discussions, brainstorming opportunities, and collaboration with other contract defenders.
• Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from seasoned legal professionals and subject matter experts who provide practical insights and case examples.
• Legal Updates: Stay informed about recent case law, legislative changes, and emerging trends affecting criminal defense strategies.

Target Audience: This program is for MSPD’s case contract defenders seeking to enhance their expertise in handling drug cases, DWIs, probation violations, mental health issues, and other legal developments.

Benefits for Participants

• Acquire practical skills and strategies to navigate complex legal challenges.
• Expand professional networks and collaborate with peers.
• Earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits — a minimum of 15 hours anticipated, including 3 hours of Ethics CLE and 1 hour of Anti-Bias CLE.