NYSDA Training: Confronting Junk Science, Keeping Abreast of the Law

ALBANY, NY (12/14/2009)(readMedia)-- On December 11, the New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) completed its training schedule for 2009. Joanne Macri of NYSDA's Criminal Defense Immigration Project presented "The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions: What Defenders Should Know" at a training co-sponsored with The Ontario County Defenders Association. Because criminal defense attorneys often lack expertise in immigration issues, Macri frequently presents information to prevent incorrect advice from being given to noncitizen clients. Inaccurate legal counsel on immigration consequences of criminal charges can result in unnecessary deportations that deprive U.S. families of their breadwinners.

Another major NYSDA training effort this year has been to give criminal defense lawyers the information they need to challenge junk science that can lead to unjust convictions. On November 13, public defense lawyers attended "The National Academies Report on Forensic Science: What it Says and How to Use It" in Buffalo. Presenter Marvin Schechter, a well-known defense attorney, had served on the National Academy of Sciences' committee that authored the report. NYSDA had also publicized that 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, in its newsletter, and held a training session on it during the NYSDA Annual Conference in July. The Buffalo event was cosponsored by the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society.

In fulfilling its mission to improve the quality and scope of publicly-supported legal representation to low income people, NYSDA often works with other organizations. November's training schedule began on the 3rd with a program in which NYSDA joined with the New York Legal Aid Society and the National College for DUI Defense. Over 100 legal aid lawyers attended to learn the intricacies of DWI defense in New York City. The firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges generously donated its facilities to host the event. "This program was the first of several programs planned by the National College as part of its efforts to enhance the litigation skills of lawyers engaged in public defense," said Peter Gerstenzang, one of the seminar presenters. A partner in the Albany firm Gerstenzang, O'Hern, Hickey, Sills & Gerstenzang, he sits on the Board of Regents of the National College.

On November 7, NYSDA presented Criminal Defense Update 2009, the second of two Continuing Legal Education training events held annually at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Such regional CLE seminars are vital to public defense attorneys and their programs. The money and time necessary to travel to statewide events to obtain mandatory CLE credits are often beyond the reach of lawyers in offices with high caseloads and bare-bones budgets.

For more information about NYSDA and its training, visit www.nysda.org.

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