CPCS Website

Working with clients who are Deaf and hard of hearing and their families: a presentation by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
2023-11-30 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
In Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States, access to the courts and legal services by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals remains problematic. This happens for a variety of reasons – insufficient numbers of legal American Sign Language interpreters, Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) providers.
Additionally, knowledge related to the provision of appropriate communication access services remains elusive, as does the proper implementation of such services across a wide spectrum of legal and social services.
This presentation by MCDHH will help you to understand what appropriate communication access is; what cultural, communicative, procedural and technical considerations to take into account when working with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families, and how MCDHH staff can work with you to ensure positive outcomes for our constituency.
Organizer: Deborah Cassell, CAFL Resource Attorney (Barnstable County), deborahcassell_atty@hotmail.com
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82494978446?pwd=[REDACTED]
CLE: 2 CAFL

Social Media Evidence in Delinquency/Y.O. cases
2023-12-01 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
Impact of Social Media Discovery on Juvenile Court Cases
More Information coming soon.
CLE: YAD 2

Federal Legislative History
2023-12-04 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Zoom
Social Law Library, John Adams Courthouse, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Monday, December 4, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Panel:
Karen Breda, Legal Information Librarian and Lecturer of Law, Boston College Law School
Alex G. Philipson, Esq. –Legal Counsel, Massachusetts Superior Court
Brian J. Harkins, Esq. – Senior Reference Attorney, Social Law Library
Online Only
Legislative history is a critically important advocacy tool in Federal Court when statutory language is ambiguous and begs for clarification. Federal judges invite and apply the use of legislative history to avoid incongruous results, illuminate drafting errors, determine specialized meanings, or choose reasonable interpretations of politically controversial statutes.
In these and other instances, Congress’s intent must be inferred from the statute’s legislative history, which successful advocates must stitch together from a variety of sources including:

The text of the bill and proposed amendments that were accepted or rejected
Transcripts of hearings conducted by Congressional committees responsible for the bill
Committee reports written about the bill
Committee prints
Compiled legislative history
Transcripts of House and Senate floor debates related to the bill

Alex Philipson, who has taught classes in appellate writing at New England Law Boston and Northeastern University Law School, and Senior Reference Attorney Brian Harkins and Law Librarian Karen Breda will show the “how” and “where” to find and interpret these and other sources of legislative history.
This program teaches advocates the research skills necessary to reconstruct a statute’s legislative history for use in pleadings, briefs and oral arguments.
$40
CPCS approved for 2.0 hours of credit from CAFL. To receive credits attendees must be logged on during the program for a minimum of 80% of the conference time. Certificates will be emailed to all attendees who were logged onto the program for at least 80% of the program.
Register at: FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE HISTORY – December 2023 (socialaw.com)
Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general CLE information contact Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com . Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. People registered for the program will receive the video recording and materials. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when the live webinar is attended.

Police Misconduct, the POST Commission, and CPCS's Database
2023-12-05 15:00 - 16:30 UTC
Police misconduct, the POST Commission, and CPCS’s database: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 3:00-4:30

The purpose of this training is to give attorneys some tools to find and use police misconduct information. The training will start with an overview of the POST Commission, which is charged with certifying all officers in the state, and a review of their police misconduct information. Then we will give a brief summary of the CPCS police misconduct and prosecutor error database, with an eye towards how the information it contains can be used in your case, either substantively or as a jumping off point for discovery motions.

We will be making this same presentation at the MACDL conference on November 29thso if you’re going to the MACDL conference, no need to sign up for this.

Here is the link to register.

CAFL's Issue Spotting Training
2023-12-06 13:30 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
The Temporary Custody Hearing just ended. DCF has been awarded Temporary Custody. What do you do now? Identifying the potential issues in the case is a critical step for developing a comprehensive case plan. Join us for this zoom training designed to assist you in ferreting out the key issues in your cases. We start with a new, completely original CAFL hypothetical. And it is packed with issues. Your homework is to read the hypothetical and watch a short video. Then join us on December 6th for the zoom training. After a brief introduction, we will break into small groups where we can unpack the issues presented in the hypothetical. When we rejoin the large group, we will compare lists and discuss how to use this list in your case planning.
2.5 CAFL CLEs
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vce2oqT0sG9UuA2d5_Qg2GHT4pCg9u4NS

CAFL Appellate Panel Certification Training
2024-01-30 09:00 - 12:30, 2024-02-01 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-06 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-08 09:30 - 12:30 UTC

Juvenile Competency Hot Topics: Remediation
2024-02-07 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
How to successfully prevent a Judge from ordering that your client be remediated.
CLE: YAD 1

MHLD Guardianship Certification
2024-03-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-22 13:00 - 16:00 UTC

Monthly CAFL Race Equity Drop-In
2024-04-03 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
April’s Race Equity Drop-In session will continue the discussion started at our March 20th training, Using Data in Litigating Race Part I: How to Find, Request, and Use Race Data to Advance Your Client’s Position. Join us on April 3rd, from 1-2PM as we lend more time to review and process what we have learned from lecturers Emma Knight, Data Coordinator and Paralegal with the Trial Panel Support Unit, and Cris and Debbie Freitas, partners at Freitas & Freitas, LLP, Lowell. We hope you come with any questions you may still have and feel free to share your experiences with how you may have used data in racial litigation.
Please consider these questions we will use to guide the conversation.

What questions do you still have about how to find data resources?
What ways have you already used data in litigating racial bias in court?
What legal issues have already been challenged using race data?
How would you go about this in the future?

If you have a question about using data to litigate racial issues in one of your cases, you can send it to us in advance (anonymously if you prefer) and we can brainstorm together at the drop-in. You can send us a short case description, along with any other questions in advance to cafltraining@publiccounsel.net.
If you are unable to attend the March 20th training, no worries! Everyone is welcome to attend and join what promises to be a very enriching conversation. Register Here. Approved for 1 CAFL CLE.

Kids Charged in Congregate Care
2024-04-18 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Zoom
Presenters: Carly Pedersen & Melanie Roberts
NOTE: 1 .5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: YAD Trial & YAD Appeals.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdeGhqj4iHNUGLx0Hy0y757fHSgAcpNO7

Children on the Stand – Principles and Best Practices
2024-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
NOTE: 2 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: YAD Trial & YAD Appeals; Criminal Defense (Trial and Appeals), CAFL (Trial and Appeals), and SDP/SORB.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItduigpz4qGdxGnzKR-p1ELhMoPCPcEKw7

What is this Medication For?
2024-05-30 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Zoom
Youth Defenders practicing in Juvenile Court will gain an introductory understanding of the effects and side effects of medications commonly prescribed to the children they represent. They will also examine how implicit bias affects prescribers’ decisions and learn strategies for critically evaluating provider diagnoses and prescriptions and how to incorporate this information into their advocacy.
NOTE: 1.5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: YAD, CAFL (Trial and Appeals), SDP/SORB, and Mental Health.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-6trjooGNItawQQky0hvqqPNDCYd2RZ

Adulting for Lawyers: Representing Transition Age Youth Episode III
2024-06-11 13:00 - 16:30 UTC | Zoom
Remember the most excellent first and second episode of Adulting for Lawyers: Representing Transition Age Youth? Come join us on Zoom June 11 from 1 to 4:30 pm for the third part of the training. A keynote will provide inspiration and practical advice, the rest of the program will provide information and tools to do the work as well as perspectives from those with lived experience. We will talk about helping transition age youth navigate DCF, whether they plan to stay with DCF or leave. We will hear from experts on topics including housing, longtime family connections, and finding other resources for our emerging adult clients. There will be a keynote address from Julie Segovia, Vice President, Research, Policy, & Learning of Hopewell, Inc. and someone with lived experience in the system.
NOTE: 3.5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals.
Register here!

Supporting Unaccompanied Indigenous Youth
2024-09-12 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
This program is hosted by Girasol. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there (girasoltexas@gmail.com). This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.
This program qualifies for 1.5 CLE on the CPCS CAFL panel.
See link below for more information and to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/supporting-unaccompanied-indigenous-youth-tickets-995457318637?aff=erelexpmlt

Our Clients Are Not Voiceless: Supporting Clients Speaking in Court
2024-10-08 14:30 - 15:30 UTC | Zoom
Save the date! More information coming soon.

Representing Clients with Competency Issues and Disabilities in SDP and SORB cases
2024-10-30 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
Presenter: Attorney John S. Day and ARSCU Attorneys
Note: This program qualifies for 1 CLE on the following CPCS Panels listed below:
SORB, SDP
Description pending
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_15hwZxwvTniKbMz6zZCfUA

111E: Understanding and Requesting Statutory Diversion for Drug Dependent People
2024-11-20 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
Presenter: Skailer Qvistgaard, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
Massachusetts created 111E as a statutory diversion option for people determined by a Court to be drug dependent. It offers the opportunity for our clients to complete a substance use treatment program which will result in the dismissal of their case without the need to enter a plea. However, we don’t often hear about our clients being offered this diversion by courts or using this method to dispose of cases. This training will give participants an understanding of the 111E statutory scheme, how to advise clients about this option, and how to actually use the 111E statute for your eligible cases.
NOTE: This program has been approved for 1 CLE on the following CPCS Panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult); Post Conviction; YAD and YAD Appeals
This program will take place via Zoom.
REGISTRATION LINK HERE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudOuhqDojEtcr8_9GFW1uVqvjYgqQbW-l

Evidence Series - How to Get Client's Statement In
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
See flyer for this series here: Evidence Series Flyer
PRESENTER: Josh Raisler Cohn, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
Your client made a statement to the police that you want the jury to see and hear but… isn’t it hearsay? We are so used to objecting and blocking to keep evidence out. This webinar will give you some ideas of how to get good statements into evidence when you want them in.
1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult), Post-Conviction (Adult); YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health (Trials), Mental Health Appeals, Parole
REGISTER FOR ANY/ALL SESSIONS HERE

Autism Spectrum Disorders
2025-01-16 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Zoom
Presenter: Dr. Laurie Guidry
Note: This program qualifies for 1.5 CLE on the following CPCS Panels listed below:
SORB, SDP, Post Conviction (Adult); YAD Appeals; Mental Health (Trials)
Description pending
Registration Link: pending

Bring Your Switchblade to the Gunfight
2025-01-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
In recent months we have seen dramatic changes to Massachusetts’s weapons laws. This hourlong webinar will cover the key provisions of the October 2024 Firearms Act; the judicial decriminalization of switchblades in Canjura; and the interplay between Shehadi and the Act’s expanded definition of stun guns.
This webinar is approved for 1 CLE on the following CPCS Panels:
Criminal Defense Trials; Adult Post Conviction; YAD Trials; YAD Appeals; Mental Heath Trials and Mental Health Appeals.
REGISTER USING LINK BELOW:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkce6hqD0rE9LnPq5D3xh2tH6Y8zp63X3s

Evidence Series - Disqualifying a Police Expert
2025-02-12 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
See flyer for this series here: Evidence Series Flyer
PRESENTER: Skailer Qvistgaard, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
The Commonwealth intends to ask a police officer to testify all about how street drug transactions happen and you would rather the jury not hear about it. Learn some strategies to block this “expert” testimony.
1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult), Post-Conviction (Adult); YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health (Trials), Mental Health Appeals, Parole
REGISTER HERE

Evidence Series - First Complaint
2025-03-12 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
See flyer for this series here: Evidence Series Flyer
PRESENTER: Emily Cardy, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
Whether it’s your first sexual assault case or your hundredth, the law about first complaint evidence can get overwhelming. Attend this training to learn about how to use first complaint law to limit some of the most compelling hearsay evidence against our clients.
1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult), Post-Conviction (Adult); YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health (Trials), Mental Health Appeals, Parole
REGISTER HERE
