Clients with intellectual disabilities are some of the most vulnerable people we represent. On April 13 in Raleigh, CDPL will host a one-day continuing legal education seminar on representing clients with intellectual disabilities in capital cases — and saving their lives. For attorneys and mitigation investigators appointed to represent indigent capital defendants. Enrollment is limited and preference is given to first-time attendees. Cancellations after April 6 are non-refundable.
Learn more about intellectual disabilities and the death penalty in North Carolina at NCDeathPenalty.org.
Full agenda:
The Center for Death Penalty Litigation Presents
WORKING WITH OUR MOST VULNERABLE CLIENTS AND SAVING THEIR LIVES:
THE DEFENSE OF CLIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN CAPITAL CASES
North Carolina Advocates for Justice Headquarters, 1312 Annapolis Drive, Raleigh
April 13, 2017
8:45 Registration (coffee provided)
9:10 Welcome
9:15 Overview of Intellectual Disabilities Law — Gretchen M. Engel
From Atkins v. Virginia to Hall v. Florida and Brumfield v. Louisiana, as well as N.C. Gen. Stat. §15A-2005 and its 2015 revisions.
10:00 Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities — J. Gregory Olley, Ph.D.
Explanation of the diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability and a discussion of common pitfalls that cause defense teams to fail to recognize their clients’ deficits.
11:00 Break
11:15 Ethical Challenges of Representing Intellectually Disabled Clients — Hon. Mary Ann Tally & J. Gregory Olley, Ph.D.
How to ensure that your intellectually disabled client makes knowing and intelligent decisions about plea bargains and at trial.
12:30 Lunch (on your own)
1:45 Investigating Adaptive Functioning — Odalys Rojas
Document collection and witness interviews needed to identify and prove deficits in adaptive functioning.
2:45 Presenting a Compelling Case of Intellectual Disability — Joseph E. Zeszotarski
How to persuade the prosecutor, judge, or jury of your client’s intellectual disability.
3:30 Adjourn
Total CLE hours: 4.75, including 1.25 hours of ethics
Register here. With questions, contact Barrie Wallace: barrie@cdpl.org.