Second Chance Videos 2023
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Effective Messaging to Advance Criminal Legal Reform
News coverage on crime and legal reform plays an integral role. As stated by the Center for Just Journalism: “Journalists who cover crime and the criminal legal system influence everything from public policy to our collective sense of safety.” Join this panel to hear advocates and media experts discuss effective messaging around criminal justice reform and how to create an effective narrative strategy.- Scott Hechinger, Executive Director & Founder, Zealous
- Insha Rahman, Vice President, Advocacy & Partnerships, Vera Institute of Justice
- Hannah Riley, Director of Programming, The Center for Just Journalism
- Moderated by: Rabiah Burks, Vice President, Communications & Team Building, National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)
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Drug Decriminalization in Oregon
The War on Drugs has served, and continues to serve, as a powerful mechanism of mass incarceration and oppression in America. The drug war sought to combat the illegal drug trade in the U.S. through policies intended to discourage distribution and consumption. However, the harsh sentencing policies that followed swelled the nation’s prison population and disproportionately targeted communities of color. At every stage of the criminal justice process – from the geographical distribution of police, to stops and searches, to arrest, to pretrial detention, to sentencing, to post-conviction, to collateral consequences – communities of color, especially Black communities, disproportionately bear the brunt of the War on Drugs. In February 2021, Oregon’s drug decriminalization measure (Measure 110) took effect, making it the first state to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of all drugs. Join this panel to hear from advocates who are working to end the drug war and advance a public health approach. Also hear how things are going on the ground in Oregon!- Morgan Godvin, Post-Graduate Fellow, Health in Justice Action Lab
- Tera Hurst, Executive Director, Health Justice Recovery Alliance
- Emily Kaltenbach, Senior Director of State Advocacy and Criminal Legal Reform, Drug Policy Alliance
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Reversing the Tide on Geofence and Keyword Warrants
A “geofence warrant” searches for devices in a virtual perimeter, while a “keyword warrant” requires Google to reveal anyone who searched for a term or phrase. These modern-day general warrants raise deep Fourth Amendment concerns. This panel will discuss current litigation and legislative efforts to prohibit their use.- Laura Koenig, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Virginia
- Hayley Tsukayama, Senior Legislative Activist, Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Moderated by: Michael Price, Fourth Amendment Center Litigation Director, NACDL
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How to Meaningfully Advance Pretrial and Bail Reform, while Combatting Misinformation
Two-thirds of state pretrial populations are held for non-violent offenses, and the racial disparities which plague the criminal legal system are especially pronounced in pretrial decisions. With pretrial decisions having substantial, long-term case impacts, the use and abuse of pretrial detention erodes the presumption of innocence and destroys any sense of justice. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the deadly consequences of widespread pretrial incarceration, prompting a renewed call and sense of urgency for releasing individuals detained pretrial.In New Jersey lawmakers implemented bail reforms that shifted from a primarily from a cash bail system to a risk-based system. New York adopted a historic bail reform law that eliminated cash bail for most people charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. And in Illinois, lawmakers abolished cash bail, making it the first state to do so. However, over the past few years New York lawmakers have continuously rolled backed its bail reform law, and the Illinois’ reform was initially put on pause but has survived with the Supreme Court upholding the law that eliminated cash bail. Join this panel to hear from advocates working to advance pretrial reform and receive tips and strategies for responding to critics and addressing concerns from court actors, legislators, and others.
- Brandon Buskey, Director, Criminal Law Reform Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- David Gasper, CEO, The Bail Project
- Sharlyn Grace, Senior Policy Advisor, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
- Moderated by: Rena Karefa-Johnson, Vice President, National Initiatives, FWD.us
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Pretextual Policing: Keeping Minor Stops from Becoming Major Harms
- Dara Baldwin, Co-chair, Transportation Equity Caucus
- Lizzie Buchen, Consultant, Buchen Consulting
- Brad Haywood, Founder, Justice Forward Virginia
- Moderated by: Jumana Musa, Director, Fourth Amendment Center, NACDL
Featured Products
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Cross-Examination Trial Pack
NACDL’s new Cross-Examination Trial Pack includes three of our best-selling Cross-Examination resources: “Damage Control: Situational Cross-Examination Techniques Trial Guide”, "Ultimate Cross 2.0: Audio Recordings & Written Materials" and "Sample Cross-Examination Questions."
This masterful collection of cross-examination resources provide countless tips, techniques and strategies for a variety of criminal case-specific scenarios. Learn to cross-examine a variety of trial witnesses!
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Death Investigation: Forensic Pathology in the Courtroom and Cause & Manner of Death (2022)
This unique program provides criminal defense lawyers with an accurate and clear overview of forensic pathology and the countless factors to consider in a death investigation and will methodically explain what happens during an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.
You'll uncover the different types of medicolegal death investigations, what to request from your MDI expert, quality benchmarks for accreditation and certification, guidelines and standards, common terminology and frequently asked questions.
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The Psychology of Persuasion & Storytelling for Criminal Defense Lawyers
This Trial Resource Guide is a masterful collection of practical tips, techniques and strategies focused solely on using the arts and sciences of persuasion to improve your storytelling skills at trial.
You'll learn how to master the ability to communicate with juries, deliver powerful openings and closings, perform convincing cross-examinations, use effective courtroom choreography and non-verbal communication, identify and develop the optimal theme and theory for your case, and offer compelling arguments during mitigation and sentencing.
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Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victims Cases (2022)
Defending charges of sexual assault and child abuse can be daunting — but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be.
Every year, NACDL identifies the hottest topics and most pressing issues when defending these cases, and brings-in nationally-renowned lawyers and experts to help you prepare for battle. This year’s 13th Annual Defending Sex Cases training program is our best yet; packed with topics and speakers you won’t want to miss!