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About

This biennial conference features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for discussions on current issues facing the criminal system.

Program highlights include:

• Significant Decisions of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, United States Supreme Court Update, plus Court of Appeals and CCA Judicial Panels

• Appellate Tips from the Experts including a follow-on moderated question and answer session

• Daubert: The Scientific Method and Expert Testimony in Criminal Cases, and Innocence as a Gateway to Post-Conviction Writs

• Practical tips and tricks from the experts on eFiling, creating appellate briefs, pattern jury charges, differences in juvenile appeal cases, pre-trial appeals, writs, trial objections and preservation of error, rehearings, and PDRs

• Earn up to 2 hours of ethics

Event Schedule

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Wednesday Afternoon, May 8, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Cheryl Johnson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
  • 2:45 pm
    Registration Opens

    Your questions are answered at the Thursday afternoon Q&A with the Appellate Experts. Submit your questions in advance to service@utcle.org, or conference registration desk.
  • 3:45 pm
    Welcoming Remarks
  • 4:00 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    Reel Legal Ethics

    Ivan Martinez, 34th Judicial District Attorney's Office - El Paso, TX

    A discussion of the ethical rules that apply to legal dilemmas using clips from various movies.
  • 5:00 pm
    1.00 hr
    Significant Decisions of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

    E. G. (Gerry) Morris, Law Office of E.G. Morris - Austin, TX

    An analysis of significant decisions in the last year, and what they mean for criminal law practitioners on both sides of the bar.
  • 6:00 pm
    Break
  • 6:15 pm
    0.50 hr
    Legal Writing for the Screen Reader

    Wayne Schiess, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

    More and more legal documents are filed electronically and read on a computer. Screen reading changes the way we perceive and process information. Learn ways to craft legal documents to be more useful for screen reading.
  • 6:45 pm
    0.50 hr
    Electronic Filing Exposed

    Casey Kennedy, Office of Court Administration - Austin, TX

    Electronic filing (eFiling) is taking the civil side by storm, but has yet to catch on fully on the criminal side. Learn some of the known barriers to criminal eFiling and find out how TexFile, Texas' new eFiling system, resolves some of these issues and is enabling greater adoption.
  • 7:15 pm
    Adjourn
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, May 9, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Cheryl Johnson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
  • 8:00 am
    Conference Room Opens

    Includes continental breakfast.

    Submit your questions for Q&A with the Appellate Experts to service@utcle.org, or at the conference registration desk.
  • 9:00 am
    1.00 hr
    Daubert: The Scientific Method and Expert Testimony in Criminal Cases

    Samuel E. Bassett, Minton, Burton, Bassett & Collins - Austin, TX

  • 10:00 am
    0.50 hr
    Innocence as a Gateway to Post-Conviction Writs

    Marjorie I. Bachman, Law Office of E.G. Morris - Austin, TX

  • 10:30 am
    Break
  • 10:45 am
    1.25 hrs
    Appellate Tips from the Experts

    David L. Botsford, Botsford & Roark - Austin, TX
    Edward L. Wilkinson, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX
    Hon. Cathy Cochran, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

    A view from the bench and both sides of the criminal bar with practical tips on how appellate advocates and appellate courts can make their briefs and opinions interesting, easier to understand, and less likely to inflame the opposing side or losing party.
  • 12:00 pm
    Networking Lunch

    Included in conference registration.
  • Thursday Afternoon, May 9, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
  • 1:15 pm
    0.50 hr
    Q&A with the Appellate Experts

    Panelists:
    David L. Botsford, Botsford & Roark - Austin, TX
    Edward L. Wilkinson, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX
    Hon. Cathy Cochran, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

    Your questions are answered at this moderated Q&A.

    Please submit your questions in advance to service@utcle.org or at the conference registration.
  • 1:45 pm
    0.50 hr
    Pattern Jury Charges

    George Dix, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

    A discussion of the new—and hopefully improved—approach to jury charges reflected in the "model" charges produced by the State Bar's Committee on Pattern Jury Charges-Criminal.
  • 2:15 pm
    0.50 hr
    Juvenile Appeals

    Andrea Westerfeld, Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office - McKinney, TX

    Juvenile law is a mix of Criminal, Civil and Family Code rules. Explore the important differences in juvenile appeal cases that result from the amalgamation that is juvenile law.
  • 2:45 pm
    Break
  • 3:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    Pre-Trial Appeals: A Limited Bag of Tools

    Josh Barrett Schaffer, The Schaffer Firm - Houston, TX

    Coverage of the limited scenarios in which defendants may appeal pre-trial, including constitutional writs regarding bond, jeopardy, limitations and statutory challenges. Also addressed are matters that the state may appeal pre-trial.
  • 3:30 pm
    0.50 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Court of Appeals Judicial Panel

    Moderator:
    Hon. Kerry P. FitzGerald, Fifth Court of Appeals - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Hon. Thomas W. Gray, Tenth Court of Appeals - Waco, TX
    Hon. John F. Onion Jr., Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Ret. - Austin, TX
    Materials By:
    Hon. Dori Contreras Garza, Thirteenth Court of Appeals - Edinburg, TX

    A panel of Courts of Appeals judges discuss what they do, the Courts' dockets, and better ways for practitioners to represent parties before the Court.
  • 4:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    A Guide to Article 11.07 Writs of Habeas Corpus and Other State Writs

    Michael F. Stauffacher, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

    General overview of the law and procedures regarding Texas state writs including issues of actual innocence and ineffective assistance of counsel.
  • 4:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Trial Objections and Preservation of Error

    Brian W. Wice, Attorney at Law - Houston, TX

    This session encompasses trial counsel's ethical duty to preserve potential reversible error for appellate review and covers myriad areas where the need to preserve potential reversible error is paramount.
  • 5:15 pm
    Adjourn
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, May 10, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
  • 8:00 am
    Conference Room Opens

    Includes continental breakfast.
  • 8:30 am
    0.50 hr
    Rehearings in the Appellate Courts

    John A. Stride, Texas District & County Attorneys Association - Austin, TX

    The when and how of pursuing rehearings under Texas Rules of Appellate Procedures 49 and 79.
  • 9:00 am
    0.50 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial Panel

    Moderator:
    Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Hon. Elsa R. Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Hon. Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Hon. Paul Womack, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

    A candid discussion of what's new at the Court, the state of the docket, and ways practitioners can improve their chances of obtaining favorable relief for their clients.
  • 9:30 am
    Break
  • 9:45 am
    0.50 hr
    Petitions for Discretionary Review (PDR) Basics: Form, Substance and Trends

    Stacey Meredith Goldstein, Office of State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX

    A review of recent rule amendments, recommendations for constructing a successful PDR, and a look at current PDR trends.
  • 10:15 am
    1.00 hr
    United States Supreme Court Update

    Jennifer E. Laurin, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

    An update on relevant criminal procedure and criminal law cases decided by the United States Supreme Court in the 2012 Term, a review of decisions yet to be handed down, and a preview of cases in the pipeline for the 2013 Term.
  • 11:15 am
    Adjourn
Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Hon. Elsa R. Alcala

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Marjorie I. Bachman

Law Office of E.G. Morris
Austin, TX

Samuel E. Bassett

Minton, Burton, Bassett & Collins
Austin, TX

David L. Botsford

Botsford & Roark
Austin, TX

Hon. Cathy Cochran

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

George Dix

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Hon. Kerry P. FitzGerald

Fifth Court of Appeals
Dallas, TX

Hon. Dori Contreras Garza

Thirteenth Court of Appeals
Edinburg, TX

Stacey Meredith Goldstein

Office of State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX

Hon. Thomas W. Gray

Tenth Court of Appeals
Waco, TX

Hon. Barbara P. Hervey

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Michael Keasler

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Casey Kennedy

Office of Court Administration
Austin, TX

Jennifer E. Laurin

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Ivan Martinez

34th Judicial District Attorney's Office
El Paso, TX

E. G. (Gerry) Morris

Law Office of E.G. Morris
Austin, TX

Hon. John F. Onion Jr.

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Ret.
Austin, TX

Josh Barrett Schaffer

The Schaffer Firm
Houston, TX

Wayne Schiess

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Michael F. Stauffacher

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

John A. Stride

Texas District & County Attorneys Association
Austin, TX

Andrea Westerfeld

Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office
McKinney, TX

Brian W. Wice

Attorney at Law
Houston, TX

Edward L. Wilkinson

Tarrant County District Attorney's Office
Fort Worth, TX

Hon. Paul Womack

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Barbara P. Hervey—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Cheryl Johnson—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

William P. Allison

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Hon. Cathy Cochran

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Kerry P. FitzGerald

Fifth Court of Appeals
Dallas, TX

Jeffrey S. Garon

Brazos County District Attorney's Office
Bryan, TX

M. Clara Hernandez

El Paso County Public Defender
El Paso, TX

Hon. Michael Keasler

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hollis L. Levy

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

John A. Stride

Texas District & County Attorneys Association
Austin, TX

Credit Info

MCLE Credit
A Texas MCLE Reporting Form will be included in your course materials. Please complete and return to the registration desk and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas, or you can self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided at the conference to keep for your records.  
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State
If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state before taking the program to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.
Other Credit
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion at the conference for your records. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – May 8-10, 2013 – Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol
Conference Concluded
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Austin
Last day for Standard Registration early registration: May 1, 2013

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group 10% (5-9) (5 registrants minimum) early registration: May 1, 2013

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group 20% (10+) (10 registrants minimum) early registration: May 1, 2013

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 3, 2013
Last day for cancellation (partial refund): May 6, 2013

$50 processing fee applied

Venue

speaker

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol

701 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX
512.478.1111 (reservations)

Accommodations

$169.00 good through Apr 15, 2013

Reserve your room online.

Government rate: $108 good through April 15, 2013
The government rate is now sold out.

Parking Information

$10 daily self-parking; $10 overnight self-parking

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