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 Course Descriptions
| Conference Title: Documents & Rules of Evidence: Identification, Admissibility, and Relevance |
| Description: The judge is presented with situations wherein a witness is on the stand and documents begin to appear. Usually, one or both of the attorneys will attempt to give the witness that will, in all likelihood, be the subject of the witness' next line of questioning. This area of law can be quite vexing. Some documents presented to witnesses are allowable. Some are not. Other are allowable for certain purposes only. Still others documents are allowable in some situation, but not in others. This course will not only explore and discuss the relevant rules of evidence, but would discuss dozens of courtroom scenarios that involve accident reports, environmental reports, driving records, autopsy reports, birth certificates, breathalyzer logs, death certificates, DNA results, e-mail, investigation reports, polygraphs, maps, medical records, traffic tickets, tax returns, business records, personal documents, diaries, letters, garbage, published writings and legal documents. |
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| Conference Title: Evidence |
| Description: This course is designed to look at evidence from the perspective of the judge. The judge will identify the evolution of evidence and define the types of evidence. The judge will be able to identify best evidence and rule on objections using case studies. They will also identify exceptions to the hearsay rule and recognize components of the competency and relevancy objections and rule on them using case studies. They will be able to recognize components of authentication and privilege and rule on them using case studies. Judges will identify types of nonverbal communication and determine the nonverbals' influence on evidence in the courtroom. Judges will examine both verbal and nonverbal cues given by witnesses and will review the definition of judicial demeanor and determine their individual "styles" of demeanor. |
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| Conference Title: Fact Finding Process |
| Description: This seminar deals with the judicial fact finding process. Areas that will be explored include listening, communicating, pretrial preparation, information gathering and clarity, and judicial personality profiles. It will also cover obstacles in the fact finding process, including bias, stress, prejudice, and witness credibility. This seminar is aimed toward assisting judges to improve their on the bench decisions. |
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| Conference Title: Science & the Law |
| Description: This course examines legal and ethical issues arising from emerging biomedical research and scientific advances. The focus is upon those judicial problems created by assisted reproduction technology, frozen embryos, stem cell research, prediction of genetic predisposition to certain diseases, genetic engineering to treat diseases, genetic discrimination, genetic enhancement, cloning, and other recent scientific developments. The course will also examine questions about the morality and legality of end-of-life decisions made by or on behalf of the elderly and the court's role in those decisions. |
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| Conference Title: Realities of Judging |
| Description: This course focuses on the judges' role in the ever changing judicial environment. Participants focus on skills dealing with listening and communication. An examination of bias gives each judge the opportunity to examine himself or herself in an effort to recognize and eliminate bias. Participants will have a chance to discuss issues dealing with stress and potential burnout and to select appropriate measures to deal effectively with them. The seminar also includes an in-depth discussion of contempt, ethics and civility. |
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| Conference Title: Supreme Court & Trends |
| Description: This course will cover components of selected cases heard recently by the U.S. Supreme Court. Both civil and criminal cases will be explored. An analysis of these important cases are discussed in order to update the judge on recent Supreme Court decisions. |
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