Persuasive Practice in Superior Court

The CPCS Criminal Defense Trainers are accepting applications for an online program that focuses on criminal defense practice in the Superior Court.  This course is open to all criminal defense attorneys at CPCS and to those Bar Advocates who wish to become certified for the Superior Court Panel. Coaching and training faculty will consist of criminal defense lawyers experienced in Superior Court Practice.   The cost for this training program is $100.
The stakes are much higher for clients who have been indicted, and there are important differences in Superior Court practice even for a defense attorney with substantial experience in District Court.  The course will address procedural and substantive topics that every criminal defense lawyer practicing in Superior Court must know.  Participants will also work on advanced trial advocacy skills in the context of cases commonly encountered in a Superior Court Practice.

Among other things, we plan to cover the following topics during the course:

• Strategic use of forensic experts in pretrial case preparation and at trial, including tips on how to successfully challenge the prosecution’s expert qualifications and opinion;
• Motion practice including the legal grounds and evidentiary basis for discovery of protected information under the Lampron/Dwyer seven step protocol to produce, inspect and use privileged records in court;
• Grand jury proceedings, indictments, immunity issues;
• Evidentiary and forensic issues involved in trying sexual assault allegations such as first complaint evidence, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) examinations, and DNA evidence;
• Issues in gang allegations;
• Tips for creating and maintaining good client relations in the high stress setting of a Superior Court case;
• Procedural aspects of Superior Court practice, including the procedural life of a case;
• Opening Statement, Cross Examination and Closing Argument in complex cases.
• Please note: there is homework assigned each night as part of this course

We have re-designed the live version of Superior Court Training into an online program utilizing our learning management system, Talent LMS. The first week of the program will allow you to prepare for the course by working asynchronously (watching recorded lectures on your own time).  Once the program begins, you will continue to work asynchronously (watching recorded videos on your own) and you will join us three afternoons  each week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 4:00 pm) for live lectures and small group sessions (with on your feet skills exercises).  You will also be assigned homework for each live session. We are hoping the last day of the program will happen live (in person!!) but this will depend on various factors.

Zoom session dates are as follows:

Friday, May 6, 2022, 3pm to 4:30 pm Welcome and Introduction to course on Zoom

Pre Work on Talent LMS – on your own May 9-13, 2022 (no zoom sessions this week)

Week One Zoom Sessions: May 17, 18, 19 (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 1pm to 4pm

Week Two Zoom Sessions: May 24, 25, 26 (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 1pm to 4pm

Week Three Zoom Sessions: May 31, June 1, 2, (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 1pm to 4pm

Week Four Zoom Sessions: June 7, 8, 9 (Tues, Wed, Thurs) 1pm to 4pm

Space is limited and the course is likely to fill up fast.  Acceptance into the program is based on a number of factors, including an effort to obtain geographic and other diversity.

To apply for this training opportunity, please send a statement of interest by email

to kmunichiello@localhost/cpcs and cc. ksmolar@localhost/cpcs

Your application must be received by April 1, 2022.   Please include the following information;

1. How long you have practiced criminal defense;
2. Whether you are on the Superior, Youthful Offender, Juvenile or District Court panel(s) and how long you have been on each;
3. Describe the number and types of jury trials you have undertaken, including the nature of the charges and whether the trials were in Superior, District Court or Juvenile Court;
4. Whether you have cross examined or presented expert witnesses;
5. List the bar advocate programs to which you belong and whether you are a member of any other CPCS certification list. If you have been employed in the Public Defender Division of CPCS please tell us where and when you worked for the PDD.
6. Please give a detailed explanation about why you are interested in participating in this course
7. Any other information you consider pertinent.

Please note:  This Training Program is NOT a CPCS Certification Course.  However, completion of the course will be considered in support of applications for acceptance to the Superior Court Panel. IF ACCEPTED INTO THE COURSE, PARTICIPANTS MUST complete the entirety OF THE COURSE. Please do not apply unless you can commit to attending the entire program