Training

The CPCS Training Department provides high quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel. The Training Department, led by the Training Chief, includes training for four separate practice areas – Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy and Mental Health Litigation – all of which are overseen by individual Training Directors.  In addition to providing substantive and skills training to attorneys, the Training Department ensures that all other professional staff members are provided appropriate training in their areas of expertise.

Substantive Training

Training on substantive matters is provided by the CPCS Training Department within four practice areas.  Criminal Defense Training focuses on adult criminal matters;  CAFL Training addresses children and family law matters; YAD Training concentrates on juvenile delinquency, youthful offender and juvenile life without parole matters; Mental Health Litigation Training provides training on commitment and guardianship matters; the Immigration Impact Unit focuses on the potential immigration consequences of criminal convictions; the Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit provides training on Sexual Offender Registry (SORB) and Sexually Dangerous Person (SDP) matters; the Private Counsel Post Conviction Unit addresses criminal appellate matters; the EdLaw Project provides instruction on school issues; the CPCS Innocence Program concentrates on forensic and new trial issues; the Revocation Advocacy Panel trains attorneys representing juveniles committed to the Department of Youth Service who are facing a return to custody as a result of the revocation of their Grants of Conditional Liberty; the Forensic Services Unit provides training on forensic issues.