CPCS Website

MHLD Guardianship Certification
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

Exhibitionism - Diagnosis, Treatment Modalities and Issues
2025-03-12 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
Presenter: Dr. Kate Colistra
Note: This program qualifies for 1 CLE on the CPCS Panels Listed Below:
SDP; SORB; Post Conviction (Adult); YAD Appeals; (more pending)
Description Pending
Registration Link: pending

Evidence Series - Authenticating Texts
2025-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
See flyer for this series here: Evidence Series Flyer
PRESENTER: John Sadek, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
“The text messages prove he’s lying!” Sometimes you have some text messages you need to get into evidence. But how do you actually do it? This webinar will give you the tools you need to argue text messages should come in, or that they should stay out.
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: 911 Calls
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
PRESENTER: Jessica Kirane, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
911 calls can be full of emotion and hearsay, yet the Commonwealth sometimes wants to put them into evidence, especially when they don’t have the caller to put on the stand for some reason. Lean how to get this evidence excluded.
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 - Qualifying Expert
2025-06-18 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
PRESENTER: Olivia Mercadante, CPCS Criminal Defense Training Staff Attorney
You’ve worked so hard to keep out their experts but never put your own expert on the stand? Learn how to qualify your first expert or get a refresher on how to qualify your next one.
1 CLE credit for this 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, CAFL, SORB/SDP
REGISTER HERE

Immigration Impact Unit Office Hours
2026-04-09 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join the Immigration Impact Unit for the first of our new ongoing office hours sessions. These quarterly meetings will provide a space for CPCS and bar advocate attorneys to discuss immigration issues and ask questions. Each session will have a topic but focus primarily on answering questions and discussion.
Topics for first meeting will include:
-What to do when ICE arrests a client with an open case
-Motions to Compel Defendant’s Presence
-Seeking dismissal of a criminal case when a client cannot be returned from ICE custody or has been deported
If you have filed a recent motion to compel or sought dismissal of a case after a client was arrested, this is an opportunity to share your experience.
Any immigration-related questions may be submitted in advance to
mhwang@publiccounsel.net. Questions may also be asked live during the meeting. Please keep in mind that this meeting will focus on general discussion and is not a substitute for completing an IIU intake form for a specific case.IIU Office Hours Flyer

Cultivating Self- Advocacy
2026-05-05 02:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Register Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

SLL: Ethical Duties When Using Generative AI & Other Technologies
2026-05-19 04:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Register Here
This program is hosted by Social Law Library. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there. (msaporito@socialaw.com). This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.

SLL: Alternative Dispositions in the District Court
2026-05-28 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
