Published February 28, 2023
MONROE, LA 鈥� Since its creation in July 2022, by State Senator Katrina Jackson, the 网曝门 Criminal
Defense Training Academy (CDTA) alongside the Louisiana Public Defenders Board (LPDB)
has taught public defenders, investigators, social workers, and students all over
the state on subjects important to the justice system. These subjects have included
direct and cross-examination, obtaining records, initial interviewing, and voir dire. 听
Dr. Pamela Saulsberry, Chief Officer of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor
of Social Work, emphasized the importance to 鈥渋ncrease the understanding of how policies
and practices in the United States results in disparities and disproportionality in
the criminal justice system. Understanding is critical to reform.鈥� 听
With over 300 participants so far, the Academy is laying the foundation and blueprint
for statewide criminal defense training and its importance in ensuring that the best
representation is given to all clients. R茅my Starns, Executive Director of the LPDB,
remarked, 鈥淚 am excited about this first of its kind partnership between the Louisiana
Public Defender Board and 网曝门.鈥� He also stressed, 鈥淭he future of public defense and
criminal justice reform involves breaking down barriers and fully integrating with
higher education and public health.鈥�听
Trainings will continue to be held multiple times a month with online Zoom options
and in-person options on 网曝门鈥檚 campus. The CDTA invites all students, faculty, and
staff interested in criminal defense, social work, or investigation to attend these
trainings. Starns added more praise to this initiative, saying, 鈥溚孛� has tremendous
faculty, staff, facilities, and the desire to help us train public defenders and investigators.鈥�
听
In addition to training specific to criminal defense, the program provides budgeting
and management courses.听 Also, three sessions on grant writing will be provided by
网曝门 Associate Professor Leigh N. Hersey, Ph.D. throughout March and April. "Learning
more about the grant writing process will help bring resources to our communities
and improve the criminal justice process," said Dr. Hersey, instructor for these sessions.
"There are many small grants available that can make a huge difference for many areas.鈥�听
Sessions provided on skills necessary and crucial to investigators are taught by 网曝门
Criminal Justice Program Coordinator and Graduate Coordinator Dr. Robert Hanser. 听He
commented, 鈥淧ersons investigating details of criminal cases to aid the defense need
to be trained in techniques to acquire relevant facts and information; this program
is intended provide individuals with the fundamental skills to do so.鈥�听
All training courses available through May 2023 are listed below. All 网曝门 students,
faculty, and staff are invited to attend at no cost. For more information, please
contact: hawkinam@warhawks.ulm.edu听
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Grant Writing: Laying The Foundation (Zoom)听
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March 15th, 2023听
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1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.听
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Obtaining Records (Zoom)听
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March 22nd, 2023听
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2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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Motions (网曝门) 听
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March 24th, 2023听
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8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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Grant Writing: Building听The Narrative (Zoom)听
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April 5th, 2023听
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1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.听
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Sexual Assault Cases (网曝门)听
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April 18th, 2023听
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8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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Grant Writing: Evaluating and听Reporting on Grant Funded Projects (Zoom)听
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April 19th, 2023听
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1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.听
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Substance Use Impact听Criminal Defense (Zoom)听
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May 10th, 2023听
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2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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Argument (网曝门)听
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May 16th, 2023听
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8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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Report Writing for the Court听听(Zoom)听
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May 17th, 2023听
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2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.听
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