Prosecutor/Legal

The Justice Clearinghouse covers topics of particular interest and focus for prosecutors and their staff — on a regular basis: through the webinars we hold, the articles we write, as well as the articles we curate from other respected sources.

Begin or enhance your knowledge in ways that will be immediately applicable to prosecutors and staff by reviewing some of the information below.

Upcoming Webinars

Carolyn Naoroz

Janne Gaub

01 / 14 / 2021

Understanding the Impact of Police Body Worn Cameras on Public Defenders

Police body-worn cameras (BWCs) have primarily been discussed from the perspective of police. As the primary users of the technology, this makes sense. But the implementation of a BWC program [...]

Dr. Kris Otteman DVM

Dr. Linda Fielder DVM

Emily Lewis

01 / 21 / 2021

Preserving the Bond and Preventing Cruelty: The Veterinarian’s Role

When a low-income client presents a severely neglected animal to a veterinarian for treatment, the doctor faces a difficult conundrum: is it their duty to protect the animal from continued [...]

Jennifer Heisig

Hilary Weinberg

02 / 18 / 2021

Building Peer Support Programs for Prosecutors

Working in a prosecuting agency can be stressful. High caseloads, the serious nature of the cases, vicarious trauma, balancing life and work and of course, the additional challenges brought about [...]

Michelle Welch

02 / 23 / 2021

What ACO’s Need to Know about Puppy Mills

From the minute you step into the puppy mill, it is important to capture the images and the cacophony of the living conditions. Large Scale seizures all have the same [...]

K. Campbell

02 / 25 / 2021

Making Personal Safety a Priority: Lessons for Criminal Justice Professionals and Victim Advocates

Thirteen prosecutors in the U.S. have been murdered since 1967. During the coronavirus pandemic, public health officials have quit their jobs over concerns for their safety, and some have been [...]

Emily LaGratta

03 / 11 / 2021

Measuring Fairness: Using Client Feedback to Enhance Our Work

We all want to be fair in our roles. Fairness may even be a direct mandate within our agency's mission statement. But how do we know if we're successful in [...]

David Rosengard

04 / 01 / 2021

When The Evidence Needs A Home: Best Practices for Pre-Conviction Forfeiture Statute Use

Animals seized in the course of cruelty cases have unique needs, which can pose challenges involving evidence preservation, unanticipated drains on law enforcement resources, and harm to the animals themselves. [...]

Lindsay M. Gephardt

04 / 15 / 2021

Make the Call: Child Discipline or Abuse

Discussing the initial investigation, forensic interviews, physical evidence, and trial process, this webinar will highlight the various factors involved in reviewing a criminal case for child abuse or child neglect [...]

Michelle Welch

04 / 29 / 2021

Making the Call: Simple, Gross Neglect or Cruelty?

When should you charge? Is it Simple or Gross Neglect? When does it rise to Cruelty? Do you know? Are you letting them slide when you should be charging them? [...]

Edward Paine

Hilary Weinberg

05 / 13 / 2021

Preparing Witnesses and Experts for Trial

Preparing a case for trial takes a lot of work. Attorneys have to assess and mark their evidence, file motions and issue subpoenas. Among the many tasks is the need [...]

Jake Kamins

06 / 22 / 2021

Preparing for Trial: What Witnesses and Experts Need to Know

In prosecuting animal cruelty offenses, success largely depends on the prosecutor’s witnesses testifying confidently and competently. (After all, our victims cannot take the stand for themselves!) Unfortunately, testifying in [...]

David Rosengard

07 / 15 / 2021

Prosecuting Farmed Animal Cruelty

In the United States, farmers raise billions of animals every year for their meat, milk, and eggs. No federal laws govern how those animals are treated while they are on [...]

Jake Kamins

08 / 03 / 2021

Top 10 Ways to Screw Up a Case

Have you had too much success with animal cruelty case investigation and prosecution, and just really want to mess one up? Are you tired of keeping track of your evidence, [...]

Lindsay M. Gephardt

08 / 05 / 2021

Forensic Interviews of Children: What Justice Professionals Need to Know

A forensic interview is a fact-finding conversation with a child intended to elicit detailed information about a possible event that the child may have experienced or witnessed. These interviews are [...]

Judge Brandon Birmingham

The United States of America vs. Timothy James McVeigh: The OKC Bombing Trial

Silently enraged about the perceived murder of innocent Americans by their own Government at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco and in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, as well as the perceived [...]

David Rosengard

Understanding Wildlife Animal Cruelty

Animal law has gone leaps and bounds over the last few years in ensuring that animals are afforded protections from forms of cruelty. There’s still work to be done [...]

Judge Brandon Birmingham

Jack Ruby: The Original Trial of the Century

In our world where news travel fast and cameras are everywhere, incidents and case trials generate media frenzy. Now imagine the year was 1964, and you’re watching an assassination broadcasted [...]

Emily Lewis

David Rosengard

The Status of Animals in Criminal Animal Cruelty Cases: What Animal Protection Professionals Need to Know

Understanding the status of animal in criminal animal cruelty cases may be a little bit more complex for those who are not as versed in this topic. This webinar, however, [...]

Gipsy Escobar

Using Data and Performance Measurement to Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes

Various factions are claiming differing positions as facts that most of us may no longer be sure which of these to believe. In these times of information overload, one thing [...]

Monica Player

Strategies to Facilitate Service and Enforcement of Foreign Protection Orders

Protection orders are just one of the mechanisms that the justice system put into place to protect victims from retaliation or harassment from their offenders, often seen in domestic violence [...]

Jake Kamins

Working and Managing Inter-Agency Relationships: Investigating & Prosecuting Animal Abuse Cases

A collaborative approach is seen to be effective in the law enforcement and justice profession. It also highlights that the players’ involvement in a case makes all the difference. Just [...]

Bob Troyer

Tom Brandon

Preserving and Enhancing Your Violent Crime Reduction Program in the Era of “De-funding”

Developments over the last couple of weeks paved the path to a movement that demands defunding of law enforcement – a seemingly simplistic, even counterintuitive solution to ineffective policing. Law enforcement [...]

Katharine Manning

Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights

Amanda Nguyen was a college student at Harvard. She was sexually assaulted and wasn’t sure if she wanted to report to the police or not. While most people would [...]

Lindsay M. Gephardt

Evidence Based Prosecutions: Building Your Case One Puzzle Piece at a Time

One of the best parts of working in the criminal justice system is the sense of fulfillment that an individual gets knowing that their work helps to keep people safe. [...]

Jessica Lauginiger

Large-Scale Animal Cruelty Seizures: Key Considerations

Large-scale animal cases that involve seizures may seem like an overwhelming operation. Any law enforcement or animal control officer may find themselves daunted by what it will entail and the [...]

Richard Goldberg

Andrea Higgens

Jenefer Duane

Suspicious Activity Reports – Taking your Elder Financial Abuse Investigations to the Next Level

Webinar Video Clip: Suspicious Activity Reports - Taking Your Elder Financial Abuse Investigations to the Next Level The multi-disciplinary approach required when handling Elder Financial Exploitation (EFE) cases has [...]

Talitha Guinn-Shaver

Jenefer Duane

Elder Fraud Prevention and Response Networks – Building Collaboration to Fight Exploitation and Abuse.

Working on elder financial exploitation cases requires mobilization from separate entities. APS, law enforcement, financial institutions - these are just some of the sectors that must collaborate to trace the [...]

Katharine Manning

Victim Rights in a Post Epstein World

Webinar Video Clip: Victim Rights in a Post Epstein World It took decades for victims to fight for their rights and have their voices heard. Victims aren’t always aware [...]

Audra Houghton

Large-Animal Cruelty Cases: Unique Considerations for Investigating Non-Companion Animal Neglect

Investigating animal crimes can be a lot of work as it is, but dealing with large animals can make it even more tedious. Past Justice Clearinghouse animal welfare and control [...]

Jake Kamins

Working with Your Local Vets: Creating Veterinary Partnerships among Law Enforcement, Prosecution and your Veterinary Community

Webinar Video Clip: Working with Your Local Vet There is value in having an expert witness to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt. This is particularly true in animal [...]

Hilary Weinberg

Traumatic Brain Injury: It’s Not Just about Football

We worry about concussions due to sports injuries or car accidents but rarely do we consider if a domestic violence victim may be concussed from physical blows to the face [...]

Michelle Welch

In other words, How do you speak your Judge’s language?

It may be a generalization to put individuals in a box based on their age or the generation they belong to. But it certainly helps to give us some level [...]

Dan Fisher

Challenges and Issues in Investigating & Prosecuting Gang-Related Crimes

This course is the third installment of Justice Clearinghouse’s Gang Related Crime Series. The first part introduced us to criminal street gangs and gang-related crimes. Meanwhile, the second course [...]

Judge Brandon Birmingham

Dr. Jill Johansson-Love

A View from the Bench: Understanding Judicial Decision Making as It Relates to Batterers Intervention and Prevention Programs

Domestic Violence isn’t just a matter of anger management. The motivation behind it is the abuser wanting to assert control in the relationship. With this in mind, intervention and [...]

Laurie Blevins

Roger Blevins

Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Abuse Cases

Proving abuse can be infuriating. Victims are questioned on the validity of the claim of abuse and are subjected to retraumatization as the incident is recounted in court. In such [...]

Amy Taylor

Michelle Welch

Witness Preparation: How to Effectively Prepare Your Experts and Witnesses to Win Your Cases

As with almost anything in life, preparation makes all the difference. This certainly is the case when it comes to court proceeding, specifically for witness testimonies. To talk about witness [...]

Jake Kamins

Animals as Victims: Charging and the Law

Cases on animal cruelty or neglect can be difficult to investigate or prosecute. Lack of knowledge and education on statutes to use and procedures to do certainly makes these cases [...]

Kate Loudenslagel

Hilary Weinberg

The Investigation & Prosecution of Strangulation Cases

The lethality of strangulation is severe but proving it can be problematic. Difficulties may arise because of the lack of outward injuries, the defendant claiming self-defense, or the victim recanting [...]

Addison Owen

Jessica Ellefritz

Ron Nichols

Making NIBIN an Organizational Lifestyle

Change is good, it allows us to grow and improve but making changes can be challenging. It takes so much more than just intention to make it stick – especially when [...]

Shannon Struble

Michael G. Gingold

The Changing Face of Gangs and Criminal Organizations

It can be tricky to Investigate and prosecute gang crimes. Mere hearsay that a gang is involved in some incident is not enough to prove that the crime is actually [...]

Elizabeth Ortiz

Ethics & Human Bias: The Co-Existence of ABA Model Rule 3.8 and Human Bias

Ethics and human bias are two topics that can get tricky to navigate when entangled with each other. For prosecutors, human bias can create problems when observing their ethical responsibilities. [...]

William Babb

Michael G. Gingold

The Investigation & Prosecution of Gang Related Crimes: an Introduction

This webinar will serve as a primer for basic gang investigation and prosecution. It will focus on different types of gangs, the importance of documenting gang members and gangs, and [...]

Claudine Wilkins

Prosecutors and Law enforcement Tools in Animal Cruelty Cases

The urgency in the need to address animal abuse is established through the well-supported findings that link animal cruelty to other crimes. Awareness of animal law can definitely still be [...]

Laurie Blevins

Roger Blevins

Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Why it’s normal to be normal and why that still matters

Hearing the details of child sexual abuse incidents and cases is dreadful. Unknown to most of us is that ninety-five percent of all delayed child sexual abuse examinations turn out [...]

Marisa McKeown

Ron Nichols

NIBIN-Led Policing – A Prosecutor’s Perspective

A collaborative approach has been espoused by different sectors in addressing some of their most pressing issues. It is no different when it comes to crime gun prevention and investigation. [...]

Michelle Welch

Drowning in Dogs, Cats, Horses…

Animal hoarding cases are tedious – just the sheer number of animals in such cases and the logistics involved can be challenging. Add the difficulty of as well as treading the [...]

Jessica Rock

Preparing for and Surviving Cross-Examination as a Witness

The responsibility of law enforcement does not end with going to the scene of the crime or catching the bad guys. It also includes coming to court and testifying as [...]

Rick Hodsdon

Federal Statutes and Who is Not Allowed to Possess Firearms

The debate on gun control can get heated but despite conflicting positions from different sectors of society, federal statutes have definite stipulations on firearm possession in effect. These, together with [...]

Donielle Wright

Hilary Weinberg

How to Handle a Recanting Witness

As if building, handling and prosecuting cases aren’t a challenge by itself already, sometimes, we are faced with a recanting victim. This is especially common in domestic violence cases – [...]

Christine Keller

Roger Blevins

Untrue Medical Defenses in Abusive Head Trauma & How to deal with them

The investigation and prosecution of Abusive Head Trauma cases is fraught with perceived contradictions in the medical literature. In fact, AHT is very well accepted medical concept worldwide which is [...]

Kim D'Amico

Julie Schoen

Using the New Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement: A New Tool to Help in Elder Abuse Cases

Over the last few years, greater awareness on elder abuse paved the way to numerous initiatives to elevate the criminal justice field’s proactive measures and response to such incidents. [...]

Rick Hodsdon

The ADA for Justice Professionals

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), first enacted in 1990 and amended in 2009 was put into place to eradicate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. In the workplace setting, ADA works to [...]

Roger Blevins

Dyanne Greer

Abusive Head Trauma for Prosecutors and Investigators (Part 2)

Young children and infants are incapable of coherently recounting abuse they experienced. This becomes a challenge to justice and medical professionals who want to ensure that the children are safe [...]

Michelle Welch

Creating an Animal Abuse and Cruelty Unit for Your Agency

Investigation and prosecution are two complex aspects of criminal justice. This gets even more tricky when the law to be applied is relatively new. Brought about by a new awareness [...]

Roger Blevins

Dyanne Greer

Abusive Head Trauma for Prosecutors & Investigators (Part 1)

Abusive head trauma/inflicted traumatic brain injury cases (formerly “shaken baby syndrome”) are among the most difficult child physical abuse cases to prosecute. Investigators & prosecutors are often overwhelmed when [...]

Vicki Assegued

Restorative Justice & Victim Offender Dialogue

The concept of Restorative Justice may seem new and unfamiliar for most people, but this system’s roots go as far back into history and is used throughout the world, [...]

Jessica Rock

Animal Cruelty Investigations and Prosecutions

Animal cruelty is now recognized as a legitimate crime and has been gaining more and more support from all concerned sectors. As a relatively novel crime, it is not without [...]

Jessica Rock

Case Preparation and Courtroom Presentation: Understanding the basics to be an effective investigator and courtroom witness

Law enforcement’s responsibility is to serve and protect. This includes responding to calls, enforcing laws, and make arrests. It is also a part of law enforcement’s job to [...]

Roger Blevins

Dyanne Greer

Understanding Medical Records for Your Child Abuse Investigation and Prosecution Efforts

Medical reports and records make all the difference when it comes to proving child abuse cases. The medical field is one of the most prestigious career paths that entail years [...]

Rick Hodsdon

Giglio, Brady and Discipline Disclosures: What Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Need to Know

It is mandated that the government, specifically law enforcement and prosecution, is bound to disclose exculpatory evidence as decreed in various US Supreme Court rulings including the landmark cases of [...]

Dyanne Greer

Hilary Weinberg

How to Understand General Medical Records for your Investigation and Prosecution of Criminal Cases

Medical records are often critical in criminal cases, as they detail the medical diagnosis/treatment that may form the basis of criminal charges. However, they can be daunting when law [...]

Patrick Beumler

Hilary Weinberg

Children as Witnesses in Domestic Violence Cases: Law Enforcement Considerations (Part 1)

Domestic Violence can be a problematic case. The community might not want to meddle with such cases with the belief that such disputes must be dealt with by the family [...]

Kate Loudenslagel

Hilary Weinberg

Investigating & Prosecuting Drowning Cases

This course discusses the challenges faced in the investigation and prosecution of drowning cases. We will discuss some tips in investigating these cases and thoughts on how to present these [...]

Jon Eliason

Confidential Informant Courtroom Lessons Learned

Using confidential informants has always been a challenge. While there are times when using a CI is useful and can gain law enforcement agencies valuable information they might get in [...]

Hilary Weinberg

Tarah White

Strangulation in Domestic Violence

The crime of strangulation hasn’t always been given its due. The prevailing attitude towards strangulation for decades was “if it didn’t kill the victim, then things will be [...]

Jim Seeger

Hilary Weinberg

Vulnerable Adult Abuse

In 1960, a person could expect to live until they were about 69. Today? “Sixty is the new 50.” With better health care, diet and exercise, most of us are living longer: the [...]

Kim MacEachern

Jon Eliason

Brady vs. Maryland, Lessons Learned From an Overturned Conviction

This course will focus on the importance of communications between the police and prosecutor in terms of turning over evidence to the defense – especially evidence that might exonerate the [...]

Keith Manning

Gunfighting in the Courtroom Part Two

During this webinar you will learn: How media has corrupted the jury pool’s understanding of forensics and firearms Common myths of the modern gunfight The valuable forensic evidence [...]

Karyn Rasile

Strangulation in Domestic Violence What More Can be Done

"Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence “(Strack and Gwinn, 2011). In fact, one study explains that a victim whom is strangled by their partner is seven [...]

After the Webinar: The Oklahoma City Bombing Trial. Q&A with Judge Brandon Birmingham

Webinar presenter Judge Brandon Birmingham answered a number of your questions after his presentation, The United States v Timothy James McVeigh: The Oklahoma City Bombing Trial. Here are just a [...]

After the Webinar: Understanding Wildlife Animal Cruelty. Q&A with David Rosengard

Webinar presenter David Rosengard answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Understanding Wildlife Animal Cruelty. Here are just a few of his responses. Audience Question: Do states [...]

After the Webinar: Jack Ruby – The Original Trial of the Century. Q&A with Brandon Birmingham

Webinar presenter Judge Brandon Birmingham answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Jack Ruby: The Original Trial of the Century. Here are just a few of his responses. &[...]

After the Webinar: The Status of Animals in Criminal Animal Cruelty Cases. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Emily Lewis and David Rosengard answered a number of your questions after their presentation, The Status of Animals in Criminal Cruelty Animal Cases. Here are just a few [...]

After the Webinar: Using Data and Performance Measurement to Improve CJ Outcomes. Q&A with Dr. Gipsy Escobar

Webinar presenter Dr. Gipsy Escobar answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Using Data and Performance Measurement to Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar The Worst of Both Worlds: Q&A with Dr. Sandra Antoniak

Webinar presenter Dr. Sandra Antoniak answered a number of your questions after her presentation, The Worst of Both Worlds: Risk-Taking and the Transitional Age Brain. Here are just a few [...]

In Case You Missed It: A Video Snippet from Increased Risks for Elder Abuse among the LGBTQ Community

Sherrill Wayland and Bonnie Olsen shared some insightful information during their webinar, Increased Risks for Elder Abuse among the LGBTQ Community: What Justice Professionals Need to Know. Here’s just [...]

After the Webinar: Working and Managing Inter-Agency Relationships. Q&A with Jake Kamins

Webinar presenter Jake Kamins answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Working and Managing Inter-Agency Relationships: Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Abuse Cases. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar: Preserving and Enhancing Your Violent Crime Reduction Program. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Bob Troyer and Tom Brandon answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Preserving and Enhancing Your Violent Crime Reduction Program in the Era of "De-Funding." Here [...]

After the Webinar: Large-Scale Animal Cruelty Seizures. Q&A with HSUS’ Jessica Johnson

Webinar presenter Jessica Johnson answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Large Scale Animal Cruelty Seizures. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience Question: Who [...]

After the Webinar: Evidence Based Prosecutions. Q&A with Lindsay Gephardt

Webinar presenter Lindsay Gephardt answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Evidence-Based Prosecutions: Building Your Case One Puzzle Piece at a Time. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar: Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights. Q&A with Katharine Manning

Webinar presenter Katharine Manninganswered a number of your questions after her presentation, Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience Question: How [...]

In Case You Missed It: A Snippet from Working with Your Local Vet

Jake Kamins shared some incredible insights and advice during his webinar, "Working with Your Local Vet: Creating Veterinary Partnerships among Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Your Veterinary Community.” Here’s just [...]

After the Webinar: Working with Your Local Vet. Q&A with Jake Kamins

Webinar presenter Jake Kamins answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Working with Your Local Vets: Creating Partnerships among Law Enforcement, Prosecution and your Veterinary Community. Here are [...]

More Statistics about Domestic Violence from Hilary Weinberg

Hilary Weinberg shared extraordinary information and statistics during her webinar, “Traumatic Brain Injury: It’s Not Just about Football.” This was just one. "43% of women who were murdered in domestic [...]

Statistics about Domestic Violence from Hilary Weinberg

Hilary Weinberg shared extraordinary information and statistics during her webinar, "Traumatic Brain Injury: It's Not Just about Football." This was just one. "1.3-1.5 million women experience Interpersonal Violence in their [...]

After the Webinar: Traumatic Brain Injury – It’s More than Just Football. Q&A with Hilary Weinberg

Webinar presenter Hilary Weinberg answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Traumatic Brain Injury: It's Not Just about Football. Here are just a few of her responses. [...]

After the Webinar: Dangerous Dog Cases. Q&A with Claudine Willkins

Webinar presenter Claudine Wilkins answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Dangerous Dog Cases: Tips on Investigations and Prosecutions. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience [...]

After the Webinar: Domestic Violence & DV Investigations. Q&A with Jessica Rock

Webinar presenter Jessica Rock answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Domestic Violence & DV Investigations. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience Question: What [...]

After the Webinar: How Do You Speak Your Judge’s Language. Q&A with Michelle Welch

Webinar presenter Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after her presentation, So in Other Words, How Do You Speak in Your Judge's Langauge? Here are just a few [...]

After the Webinar: Working with Sexual Assault Survivors with Disabilities. Q&A with Victoria Riechers

Webinar presenter Victoria Riechers answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Working with Sexual Assault Survivors with Disabilities. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience [...]

Thoughts about Victims from Michelle Welch

Michelle Welch shared incredible insights and advice during her webinar, "In Other Words... How Do You Speak Your Judge's Language?" But we especially loved this reminder. "Never stop fighting [...]

After the Webinar: Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Physical Abuse Cases. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Roger Blevins and Laurie Blevins answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Abuse Cases. Here are just a few of their [...]

After the Webinar: Witness Preparation. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Michelle Welch and Amy Taylor answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Witness Preparation: How to Effectively Prepare Your Experts and Witnesses to Win Your Cases. [...]

After the Webinar: Animals as Victims – Charging and the Law. Q&A with Jake Kamins

Webinar presenter Jake Kamins answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Animals as Victims: Charging and the Law. Here are just a few of his responses, edited for [...]

After the Webinar: Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Sexual Abuse Cases. Q&A with Michelle Welch

Webinar presenter Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Sexual Abuse Cases. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience [...]

After the Webinar: The Changing Face of Gangs & Criminal Organizations. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Michael Gingold and Shannon Struble answered a number of your questions after their presentation, The Changing Face of Gangs and Criminal Organizations. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar: The Investigation & Prosecution of Strangulation Cases. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Hilary Weinberg and Kate Loudenslagel answered a number of your questions after their presentation, The Investigation and Prosecution of Strangulation Cases. Here are just a few of their [...]

After the Webinar: Ethics and Human Bias. Q&A with Elizabeth Ortiz

Webinar presenter Elizabeth Ortiz answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Ethics and Human Bias. Here are just a few of her responses. Audience Question: How do [...]

After the Webinar: Advanced Cockfighting Investigations & Prosecutions. Q&A with the Presenters.

Webinar presenters Richard Samuels and Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Advanced Cock Fighting Investigations and Prosecutions. Here are just a few of their responses. &[...]

After the Webinar: Prosecutor & Law Enforcement Tools in Animal Abuse Cases. Q&A with Claudine Wilkins

Webinar presenter Claudine Wilkins answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Prosecutor and Law Enforcement Tools in Animal Abuse Cases. Here are just a few of her responses. &[...]

After the Webinar: Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Laurie Blevins and Roger Blevins answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Presenting Medical Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar: Garrity – Myths and Realities. Q&A with Rick Hodsdon

Webinar presenter Rick Hodsdon answered a number of your questions after his presentation, What Justice Professionals Need to Know about Garrity: Myths & Realities. Here are just a few of [...]

After the Webinar: NIBIN Led Policing. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Marisa McKeown and Ron Nichols answered a number of your questions after their presentation, NIBIN-Led Policing: A Prosecutor's Perspective. Here are just a few of their responses. [...]

After the Webinar: Advanced Techniques in Dog Fighting Investigations. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenter Amy Taylor and Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after their presentation, Advanced Techniques in Dog Fighting Investigations. Here are just a few of their responses. &[...]

After the Webinar: How to Handle Recanting Witnesses. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenter Hilary Weinberg and Donielle Wright answered a number of your questions after their presentation, How to Handle Recanting Witnesses. Here are just a few of their responses. &[...]

After the Webinar: Federal Statutes and Who is Not Allowed To Possess Firearms. Q&A with Rick Hodsdon

Webinar presenter Rick Hodsdon answered a number of your questions after his presentation, Federal Statutes and Who is Not Allowed to Possess Firearms. Here are just a few of his [...]

Mastering Inductive Interviewing: Our Interview with Sheriff Ray Nash

Christina McCale

Whether you grew up watching Gun Smoke, fantasizing about driving a Ford Gran Torino like Starsky & Hutch, or working cases like the Law & Order crew, being a "good [...]

After the Webinar: Advanced Techniques in Dog Fighting Prosecutions. Q&A with Michelle Welch

Webinar presenter Michelle Welch of the Virginia Attorney General's Office answered a number of your questions after her presentation, Advanced Techniques for Dog Fighting Prosecutions. Here are just a few [...]

Thoughts on Working with Others from Michelle Welch

We loved this statement Michelle Welch made during her webinar, Advanced Techniques for Dog Fighting Prosecutions, about the importance of keeping perspective and being willing to humble yourself to have [...]

After the Webinar: The ADA for Justice Professionals. Q&A with Rick Hodsdon

Webinar presenter Rick Hodsdon answered a number of your questions after his presentation, “The ADA for Justice Professionals.” Here are a few of his responses. Audience Question: Does the [...]

After the Webinar: Creating an Animal Abuse & Cruelty Unit. Q&A with Michelle Welch

Webinar presenter Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after her presentation, “Creating an Animal Abuse & Cruelty Unit.” Here are a few of her responses. Audience Question: [...]

After the Webinar: Abusive Head Trauma Pt 2. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Dyanne Greer and Roger Blevins answered a number of your questions after their presentation, “Abusive Head Trauma Part 2.” Here are a few of their responses. Audience Question: [...]

In Case You Missed It: Video Snippet from Investigating and Prosecuting Cock Fighting Cases

Michelle Welch of the Virginia Attorney General's Office shared some incredible insights and advice during her webinar, "Combatting Cock Fighting: What Investigators and Prosecutors Need to Know." Here’s just [...]

After the Webinar: Abusive Head Trauma for Prosecutors & Investigators. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Dyanne Greer and Roger Blevins answered a number of your questions after their presentation, “Abusive Head Trauma for Prosecutors & Investigators.” Here are a few of their responses. &[...]

Thoughts on Respect from Vicki Assegued

Truly listening -- whether to a victim, a colleague or a partner -- starts with respect. During her webinar, “Restorative Justice and Victim-Offender Dialogue,” Vicki Assegued provided excellent advice for [...]

After the Webinar: Building Cases against Cock Fighters. Q&A with Michelle Welch

Webinar presenter Michelle Welch answered a number of your questions after his presentation "What Investigators and Prosecutors Need to Know about Building Cases Against Cock Fighting Perpetrators." Here are a [...]

After the Webinar: Domestic Violence and Firearms Relinquishment. Q&A with the Presenters

Webinar presenters Sabath Huttle and Krystle Curley of the King County Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit answered a number of your questions after their presentation, "Domestic [...]

Thoughts about the Law from Dan Satterberg

During their presentation, "Domestic Violence and Firearm Relinquishment: From Honor System to Actual Enforcement," presenters Sandra Shanahan and Kim Wyatt shared a great saying they learned from their own supervisor, [...]

Case Preparation and Courtroom Presentation: An Interview with Jessica Rock

Christina McCale

For some people, the idea of having to testify in a court case might be as appealing as getting a root canal. But for many justice professionals, the concept of [...]

Domestic Violence and Firearm Relinquishment: An Interview with Kim Wyatt and Sandra Shanahan

Christina McCale

Domestic violence and guns can be a lethal combination. In 2014, Washington State adopted a firearms relinquishment law allowing courts to issue “Orders to Surrender Weapons” when entering certain types of [...]

After the Webinar: Giglio, Brady and Discipline Disclosures. Q&A with Rick Hodsdon

Webinar presenter Rick Hodsdon answered a number of your questions after his presentation, "Giglio, Brady and Discipline Disclosures: What Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Need to Know." Here are [...]

Giglio, Brady and Discipline Disclosures: An Interview with Rick Hodsdon

Christina McCale

What is the Brady case and what does it have to do with you as a law enforcement officer or prosecutor? And who is Giglio? If you're confused by these [...]

Understanding General Medical Records for Your Investigation or Prosecution: An Interview with Dyanne Greer

Christina McCale

Medical records can be a roadmap for understanding what has happened to a victim. But unlike the medical dramas on TV, medical records can be hard to read, challenging to [...]

After the Webinar: DNA Basics. Q&A with Chris Lindberg

Webinar presenter Chris Lindberg answered a number of your questions after his presentation, "DNA Basics: Understanding DNA Evidence in Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions." Here are some of his [...]

Thoughts on Elder Abuse

A powerful comment from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan in the San Diego County Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Blueprint 2018. "Our civilization will be judged on how we [...]

Understanding DNA Evidence in Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions: An Interview with Chris Lindberg

Christina McCale

Very few things happen quite like they are depicted on TV, especially when it comes to crime investigation. But DNA has become more and more important to investigators and prosecutors [...]

Children as Witnesses in Domestic Violence Cases: Law Enforcement Considerations: An Interview with Hilary Weinberg and Patrick Beumler

Christina McCale

According to government statistics between 3-4 million children ages 3-17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence each year. Ninety-five percent of these cases involve female victims -- typically [...]

Using Veterinary Forensics to Support Investigation and Prosecution Efforts: An Interview with Dr. Melinda Merck

Christina McCale

Most people agree that people who abuse animals are cruel. But there's an evolving line of thinking that by looking at these crimes against animals, sometimes you can also make [...]

Developing Prosecution Strategies with Crime Gun Intelligence: an Interview with Will Morris

Christina McCale

There is no "silver bullet" for solving gun crime. Solving gun crime requires looking at every discharge of firearms, collaboration among a region's agencies, an understanding of the processes and [...]

Infographic: Hot Car Deaths

The Justice Clearinghouse

Based on a webinar presentation, check out these 11 tips for how to effectively prosecute and investigate hot car deaths.

Infographic: Investigating and Prosecuting Drowning Cases

This infographic highlights the challenges faced in the investigation and prosecution of drowning cases. It shares investigative tips, the unique challenges, and how to present these kinds of cases [...]

Science Made Simple: Understanding the Basics of Hot Car Deaths

Christina McCale

Each year, 37 kids - not to mention hundreds of pets - die from heatstroke because they were left in a hot car. It's a senseless death: entirely driven from a [...]

The Hidden Nature of Elder Abuse: an Interview with Brenda Uekert

Christina McCale

The statistics are just astonishing. 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have been the victims of elder abuse. Further, "The New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study found that for [...]

How to Overcome Elder Abuse Barriers in Investigations and Prosecutions: an Interview with Paul Greenwood

Christina McCale

We all will grow older. But that doesn't mean that as older people, we should become victims to elder abuse. But according to recent statistics, all too often, that can [...]

Investigating and Prosecuting Drowning Deaths: an Interview with Hilary Weinberg and Kate Loudenslagel

Christina McCale

Join webinar hosts Hilary Weinberg and Kate Loudenslagel of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to learn: challenges faced in the investigation and prosecution of drowning cases, tips in investigating [...]

Prosecuting & Investigating Hot Car Deaths: An Interview with Hilary Weinberg and Joshua Clark

Christina McCale

It'll only be a few minutes. 15 at most? A warm day. You'll just be popping into the dry cleaner to pick up the laundry - what harm could it be? [...]

Trends and Data in Exonerations: An Interview with Samuel Gross of the National Registry of Exonerations

Christina McCale

No one wants to think about the possibility of an innocent person being wrongfully convicted. From Blackstone to Benjamin Franklin; Voltaire, to even the book of Genesis, it's a long-held [...]

Confidential Informants: Courtroom Lessons Learned – An Interview with Jon Eliason

Christina McCale

Using confidential informants can be fraught with challenges. Between guidelines and case law, prosecutors and law enforcement officers have clear benchmarks for using informants while they build their cases. Join [...]

Elder Abuse Infographic

This infographic, based on a webinar, provides the key types of elder abuse, its frequency, and how justice professionals can identify it.

11 Things to Keep In Mind Managing Confidential Informants

Based on webinar content, this infographic provides 11 key tips for prosecutors and law enforcement officers when managing confidential informants.

Investigation and Prosecution of Strangulation in Domestic Violence Cases: An Interview with Tarah White and Hilary Weinberg

Christina McCale

The crime of strangulation hasn’t always been given its due. The prevailing attitude towards strangulation for decades was “if it didn’t kill the victim, then things will be [...]

Creating a Culture of Pre-Trial Release in Arizona: An Interview with Tom O’Connell and Kathy Waters

Christina McCale

Incarcerating people prior to trial is fraught with challenges. It can be a costly process – both to the system as well as to those involved in the proceedings. Based [...]

Protecting the Victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: An Interview with Eva Klain

Christina McCale

It’s an unthinkable, unspeakable crime that happens every day in cities large and small across America. Its victims are from all walks of life, from all socioeconomic backgrounds. [...]

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