Criminal Law Section – Fighting Wrongful Convictions – May 6
Criminal Law Section – Wrongful Convictions
Friday, May 6, 2022
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Join the Criminal Law Section on Friday, May 6, 2022 for a noon webinar presentation by Attorney Aaron Aguas-Rao of the Northern California Innocence Project. This presentation will provide a general and introductory overview of what attorneys should know about wrongful convictions. It will include an overview of the important work the Northern California Innocence Project does. Ms. Aguas-Rao will explain why wrongful convictions occur, and how California Penal Code 1473, Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) and Schulp v. Delo 513 U.S. 298 (1995) apply.
Attorney Aaron Aguas-Rao got her BA at the University of California at Los Angeles and her J.D. at George Washington University.
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) was a case where a Maryland jury found both John Brady and Charles Boblit guilty of first degree murder. Brady said he only participated in the robbery, but not the killing. Both men got the death penalty. After the trial, Brady found out that Boblit had confessed to the murder, but the prosecution suppressed the evidence during Brady’s trial. The Maryland Court of Appeals held that the suppression of the confession denied Brady due process and they remanded the case to be considered of punishment only.
Schulp v. Delo 513 U.S. 298 (1995) was a case where a Missouri prisoner was convicted in participating in the murder of another inmate. The prisoner alleged constitutional error at his trial that deprived the jury of evidence that would have proved his innocence. The court said that Schulp could not satisfy the threshold showing of “actual innocence” required by Sawyer v. Whitley, 505 U.S. 333.
Cost: Free for section members and $10 for nonsection members. You will also receive 1 hour of MCLE credit!
Consistent with our prior virtual presentations that have qualified for MCLE credit, all attendees must register online prior to the event. Online registration will close on the morning of the event.
Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount. You will receive 1 hour of General Law MCLE credit for attending this event. The MCLE certificates will be made available in the week following the event.
Criminal Law Section – Prosecuting and Defending Contempts – March 29
Criminal Law Section – Prosecuting and Defending Contempts
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Please join the Criminal Law Section on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 for a presentation where two very experienced attorneys, Fredrick S. (Rick) Cohen and Tracy Duell-Cazes will discuss strategies and tactics designed to successfully “prosecute” and defend Contempts. Both of these attorneys have taught CLEs on them for years. It is hosted by David Nazzaro, the current co-chair of the Criminal Law Section, who was a court appointed attorney representing defendants on the Child Support Contempt calendar in Santa Clara County.
Fredrick S. (Rick) Cohen is a Sacramento family law attorney, a Certified Family Law Specialist, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, a two-time Chair of the Family Law Section of the Sacramento Bar Association, and a frequent presenter in continuing legal education programs.
Tracy Duell-Cazes has been practicing family law in Northern California for over 32 years. For almost 20 years, she has been a Certified Family Law Specialist. Tracy is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and is the Associate Chapter Director. She is also a member of the Santa Clara Bar Association Family Law Section (Family Law Section Chair 2018) and the San Mateo County Bar Association Family Law Section. She is on the Board of Directors for the ACFLS Charitable Foundation. She has written articles for the ACFLS Specialist publication and the State Bar Family Law News publication. She has taught various family law and contempt related seminars for multiple bar associations. She has handled almost 600 contempt of court matters. The Law Offices of Tracy Duell-Cazes (also known as TDC Family Law) home office is in San Jose, Santa Clara County where she handles family law cases. She also handles non-custody related cases in San Mateo County, and selected Family Law related contempt of court cases in San Mateo County and other counties in California. She also consults on contempt of court matters with attorneys throughout California.
Cost: No cost for members and $10 for nonmembers.
Consistent with our prior virtual presentations that have qualified for MCLE credit, all attendees must register online prior to the event. Online registration will close on the morning of the event.
Registration: Please log-in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. The Zoom invite and materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the day before and morning of the event.
Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount. You will receive 1 hour of General Law MCLE credit for attending this event. The MCLE certificates will be made available in the week following the event.