2017 Robert O. Dawson

Conference on Criminal Appeals

Austin May 10-12, 2017 Austin Marriott South
Conference Concluded

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Overview

UT Law's biennial Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals 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.

2017 program highlights include:

Significant decisions and updates from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court in the last year
Emerging Issues in PDRs with Stacey Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney, and Gary Hart, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
An exploration of legal issues in actual innocence claims, with particular focus on false evidence leading to wrongful convictions and wrongful convictions based on invalid scientific testimony
Techniques on writing effective briefs in Legal Writing: Clearly Using Intensifiers is Literally a Crime
Investigating, developing, and prosecuting ineffective assistance of counsel claims in post-conviction litigation
How to raise and defend disclosure issues in a post-Michael Morton Act world with Patricia Cummings, The Law Offices of Patricia Cummings, and Bill Wirskye, Collin County District Attorney's Office
An examination of the ethical considerations facing attorneys in post-conviction representation with Hon. Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Wednesday Afternoon, May 10, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
12:30 pm

Registration Opens

Includes light refreshments.
1:20 pm

Welcoming Remarks
1:30 pm

1.00 hr

Significant Decisions of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Analyze significant decisions in the last year and what they mean for criminal law practitioners on both sides of the bar.

Hon. David C. Newell, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
2:30 pm

1.00 hr

Supreme Court Update

Hear an update on relevant criminal law and criminal procedure cases decided by the United States Supreme Court in the 2016 term, review decisions yet to be handed down, and preview hot cases in the pipeline for the 2017 term.

Jennifer E. Laurin, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
3:30 pm

Break
3:45 pm

0.50 hr

Legal Writing: Clearly, Using Intensifiers is Literally a Crime

Intensifiers (clearly, obviously, blatantly) show up in briefs from time to time. But are they persuasive, and if not, what can you do instead?

Wayne Schiess, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
4:15 pm

1.00 hr

Mandamus

Discuss Texas mandamus law in criminal cases, and explore how the cases are litigated at the appellate level.

Michael Staats Falkenberg, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
5:15 pm

Adjourn

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, May 11, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Hon. David C. Newell, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
8:00 am

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
9:00 am

0.50 hr

Appeals You Never Thought You Would See

Review the basics for CPS and Juvenile Delinquency Appeals.

April E. Smith, Attorney at Law - Mesquite, TX
9:30 am

1.00 hr

Nuts and Bolts—Emerging Issues in PDRs

Gain a working knowledge of the procedural rules, optimal structure, and strategies needed to successfully pursue discretionary review, and familiarize yourself with emerging legal issues and trends in the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Gary Hart, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Stacey Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX
10:30 am

Break
10:45 am

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

False Evidence, Actual Innocence, and 11.073 Writs

Analyze legal issues in actual innocence claims, with particular focus on false evidence leading to wrongful convictions and wrongful convictions based on invalid scientific testimony.

Jay R. Brandon, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section - San Antonio, TX
Gary Alan Udashen, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton - Dallas, TX
11:45 am

0.50 hr

The Court’s Charge: Was it Right? Did it Hurt?

Examine jury charge issues that commonly cause error on appeal, including lesser-included offense instructions.

Lauren Alicia Scott, Bexar County District Attorney's Office - San Antonio, TX
12:15 pm

Pick Up Lunch
Thursday Afternoon, May 11, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Hon. David C. Newell, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Luncheon Presentation
12:35 pm

1.00 hr
0.50 hr ethics

Michael Morton Act and Brady on Appeal

Explore how to raise and defend disclosure issues in a post-Michael Morton Act world.

Patricia J. Cummings, Law Office of Patricia J. Cummings - Round Rock, TX
Bill Wirskye, Collin County District Attorney's Office - McKinney, TX
1:35 pm

Break
1:50 pm

0.50 hr

Motions For New Trial

Examine motions for new trial and the rare opportunity they provide to change the course of a conviction or sentence, or alternatively, to develop a better record on appeal.

Carmen M. Roe, Carmen Roe Law Firm - Houston, TX
2:20 pm

0.50 hr

Pretrial Writs: Tips from Both Sides of the Aisle

Learn how to raise, litigate, and defend pretrial writs from both the prosecution and defense perspectives.

David M. Gonzalez, Sumpter & Gonzalez - Austin, TX
2:50 pm

Break
3:00 pm

0.50 hr

Rules of Appellate Procedures

From motions for new trial to motions for rehearing, an attorney’s grasp of the Rules of Appellate Procedure can make or break a case. Explore some of the most important appellate rules for criminal practitioners and highlight recent changes to the rules.

Holly E. Taylor, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
3:30 pm

0.50 hr

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Review how to investigate, develop, and prosecute the most important type of claim in post-conviction litigation, and explore some of the fundamental legal principles associated with it.

Josh Schaffer, Schaffer Law Offices - Houston, TX
4:00 pm

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

A Guide To Art. 11.07 Writs of Habeas Corpus and Other State Writs

Hear procedures, issues, and do’s and don’ts pertaining to Article 11.07 and other State writs.

Michael F. Stauffacher, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
4:45 pm

Adjourn

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, May 12, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Hon. Barbara P. Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
8:30 am

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
9:00 am

1.00 hr ethics

Ethics for Post-Conviction Lawyers

Examine the ethical considerations facing attorneys in post-conviction representation.

Hon. Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
10:00 am

Break
10:15 am

1.00 hr

Appellate Tips from the Experts

Get a view from 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.

Enrico Baltazar Valdez, Bexar County District Attorney's Office - San Antonio, TX
Mike Ware, Attorney at Law - Fort Worth, TX
11:15 am

0.75 hr

Court of Appeals Judicial Panel

Hear Court of Appeals judges discuss what they do, Court dockets, and better ways for practitioners to represent parties before the Court. You have questions; they have answers.

Moderator:
Jay R. Brandon, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section - San Antonio, TX
Hon. Melissa Young Goodwin, Third Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. Sue Walker, Second Court of Appeals - Fort Worth, TX
12:00 pm

Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Jay R. Brandon

Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX

Patricia J. Cummings

Law Office of Patricia J. Cummings
Round Rock, TX

Michael Staats Falkenberg

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

David M. Gonzalez

Sumpter & Gonzalez
Austin, TX

Hon. Melissa Young Goodwin

Third Court of Appeals
Austin, TX

Gary Hart

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Michael Keasler

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Jennifer E. Laurin

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Hon. David C. Newell

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Carmen M. Roe

Carmen Roe Law Firm
Houston, TX

Josh Schaffer

Schaffer Law Offices
Houston, TX

Wayne Schiess

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Lauren Alicia Scott

Bexar County District Attorney's Office
San Antonio, TX

April E. Smith

Attorney at Law
Mesquite, TX

Stacey Soule

Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX

Michael F. Stauffacher

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Holly E. Taylor

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Gary Alan Udashen

Sorrels, Udashen & Anton
Dallas, TX

Enrico Baltazar Valdez

Bexar County District Attorney's Office
San Antonio, TX

Hon. Sue Walker

Second Court of Appeals
Fort Worth, TX

Mike Ware

Attorney at Law
Fort Worth, TX

Bill Wirskye

Collin County District Attorney's Office
McKinney, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Barbara P. Hervey—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. David C. Newell—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Jay R. Brandon

Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX

Patricia J. Cummings

Law Office of Patricia J. Cummings
Round Rock, TX

Alison Fox Dahlberg

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Michael Staats Falkenberg

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Andrea Keilen

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Austin, TX

Susan Riva Klein

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Deborah Salzberg

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Frank Sellers

Westfall Sellers
Fort Worth, TX

Stephanie L. Stevens

Saint Mary's School of Law
San Antonio, TX

Michael Scott Taliaferro

Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX

Credit Info

Austin

MCLE Credit

Texas – 13.00 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Criminal Law, Criminal Appellate Law, Juvenile Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 13.00 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Oklahoma – 15.50 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 15.50 hrs

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 are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – May 10-12, 2017 – Austin Marriott South

Conference Concluded

Buy

Austin

Individual
Last day for $450.00 Regular pricing: May 3, 2017

$500.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $405.00 Regular pricing: May 3, 2017

$455.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $360.00 Regular pricing: May 3, 2017

$410.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 5, 2017

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: May 8, 2017

Venue

Austin Marriott South

4415 South IH-35
Austin, TX 78744
512-441-7900
844-473-3959 (reservations)

Accommodations

$165 room rate good through April 19, 2017 (subject to availability). Please refer to The University of Texas School of Law and 2017 Conference on Criminal Appeals when you call the hotel directly at 844-473-3959.

You may also book your room online here.

Parking Information

Complimentary garage and ground level self parking.

2017 Robert O. Dawson

Conference on Criminal Appeals

Austin May 10-12, 2017 Austin Marriott South Conference Concluded

Buy

Related products: eConference Materials

Overview

Event Schedule

Wednesday Afternoon, May 10, 2017

Thursday Morning, May 11, 2017

Thursday Afternoon, May 11, 2017

Friday Morning, May 12, 2017

Conference Faculty

Jay R. Brandon

Patricia J. Cummings

Michael Staats Falkenberg

David M. Gonzalez

Hon. Melissa Young Goodwin

Gary Hart

Hon. Michael Keasler

Jennifer E. Laurin

Hon. David C. Newell

Carmen M. Roe

Josh Schaffer

Wayne Schiess

Lauren Alicia Scott

April E. Smith

Stacey Soule

Michael F. Stauffacher

Holly E. Taylor

Gary Alan Udashen

Enrico Baltazar Valdez

Hon. Sue Walker

Mike Ware

Bill Wirskye

Planning Committee

Hon. Barbara P. Hervey—Co-Chair

Hon. David C. Newell—Co-Chair

Jay R. Brandon

Patricia J. Cummings

Alison Fox Dahlberg

Michael Staats Falkenberg

Andrea Keilen

Susan Riva Klein

Deborah Salzberg

Frank Sellers

Stephanie L. Stevens

Michael Scott Taliaferro

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

Austin Marriott South

Accommodations

Parking Information

Stay in the loop with UT Law CLE

Austin May 10-12, 2017 Austin Marriott South
Conference Concluded