Happy Holidays and best wishes in 2017!!

"Beyond Second Chances" Re-Entry Report by the CCE

Check out this new report by the Council for Court Excellence that discusses re-entry struggles for citizens returning from time in the BOP.

Ms. Latoya Lane is no longer in the position of Deputy Warden for Programs

"PLEASE NOTE: Ms. Latoya Lane is no longer in the position of Deputy Warden for Programs. Ms. Lane’s office is no longer at the D.C. Jail. Many messages are being left on Ms. Lane’s old phone number 523-7014 in reference to inmates getting a haircut. At this time there is no one acting in the position of Deputy Warden for Programs.  Have all attorneys fax any request to 202-698-4877 or concerns call on 202-523-7010. P.S., Until we get a new Deputy for Programs no calls will be returned on 202-523-7014."

REMINDER- Changes to DCCA Rules effective tomorrow, November 30, 2016

Reminder: Changes to the DCCA Rules are effective tomorrow, November 30 2016. Please refer to
Order M-255-16 and Order M-257-16  for more details.

St. Elizabeth's updated contact information

Here is the latest updated contact information for St. Elizabeth's Hospital:
Treatment Team Assignments November 2016

FastCase Mobile App

Good morning! At our Legal Research class last night (through PDS' Fall Training Program), I had a reference attorney from FastCase come by to show how their search engine works. One key take away from the talk was the ability to access the FastCase Mobile App. To do this, you must download the app from your Itunes or App store and then log into the DC Bar, with your normal login credentials, click on FastCase and once logged in, you will see a link that says "Mobile Sync". Click on that link it will link up your Mobile device to your FastCase account. Once that is done, you will be able to access all your saved Folders on your phone. If you have any questions, please email me OR contact FastCase at support@fastcase.com. Thank you to those who attended last night's event; I hope you found it helpful!

Civil Legal Research Website

Good morning and Happy Monday! If you are looking for documents or statistics for an upcoming Civil case, the LegalAidResearch Website may be of interest to you; it is sponsored by the NLADA.

Superior Court Judicial Assignments 2017

Good morning and Happy Halloween! Please find the attached document with Judicial Assignment information for Fall 2017. Thanks!

DC Criminial Jury Instructions, Release 14, out now--read here for updates

Good afternoon! The 2016 release for the DC Criminal Jury Instructions is now available for purchase from Lexis. Read HERE about the latest updates to this year's release.

DC Rules of Professional Conduct

Hello! Here is a link to the DC Rules of Professional Conduct.

DC Weather Reports

Good morning! If you need DC weather reports, as far back as 2008, please send me an email and I will send them to you. They will be in a monthly format but the daily information is included as well. Thanks! Laura

DC Superior Court Law Clerk Directory Fall 2016

Good afternoon! Please find attached the DC Superior Court Law Clerk Directory.

DC Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, proposed changes

Here is a link to the proposed changes to the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. Comments are being accepted until November 28, 2016, to Laura Wait at laura.wait@dcsc.gov

FastCase Quick Reference Guide

Here is a link to a FastCase reference guide. How many of you are using FastCase? Do you find it helpful? Email me if you have time, would love your feedback! Thanks, Laura

DC Jail Warden Retires

Article on the retirement of William Smith, warden of the DC Jail.

iPad for Lawyers: Using Technology in the Courtroom

Check out this upcoming class on ipads for Lawyers, Oct. 5th, 2016, put on by the D.C. Bar

Daily Newsletter: New DC Bar Resource

Be sure to sign up for the DC Bar's latest resource: the DC Bar Legal Brief, a daily newsletter for the DC Bar community. You can sign up HERE.

DC Council's Legislative History "LIMS" database update- you can now track legislation!

The DC Council's legislation database, LIMs, was recently updated to include social media links. One new feature that you may find very useful is the ability to track current legislation going through the Council.

If you find a piece of legislation you want to follow you simply pull up that bill and go to the bottom of the screen and chose the "SUBSCRIBE" button. Once this is done, you will be notified of any changes concerning that legislation.

Be sure to check out the LIMS page for current DC Legislative History questions and as always, please feel free to contact me if you  need help locating any LH for your cases.

Forensic Science in Criminal Court- New Report issued

Report on Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods (from PCAST Website)

On September 20, 2016, PCAST released a Report to the President on Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison 

Methods.

• Full report (pdf)
• References (pdf)
• Request for Information Responses (pdf)
• Blog post

Parole and Supervised Release: Key Points to Remember

(The material below was recently put out by the Parole division at PDS):

Key points to remember when representing clients who are on parole or supervised release:

1.      When you first meet your clients, always, always ask whether they are on parole or supervised release. 

2.      Remember, your client’s parole warrant must execute in order for him/her to get parole time credit.

3.      The parole warrant cannot be executed when the judge:

 •         Imposes a bond.

 •         Imposes a nominal bond.

 •         Releases client to a halfway house.

4.      When possible, always seek client’s release on their own recognizance.

5.      If the Commission chooses to hold your client in custody pending a final revocation proceeding, you will want to ensure that your client also receives credit in trial by filing a motion to change your client’s release conditions, or requesting that a bond be placed on your client at the next court hearing.

6.      Call a duty day attorney with the Parole Division at PDS whenever you have questions!

DC Safe Surrender will be held on Sept. 10th, 17th and the 24th

DC Safe Surrender 

(language from DC Superior Court's website)

The DC Safe Surrender program is an opportunity for persons who are wanted for non-violent felonies or misdemeanors in the District of Columbia to surrender voluntarily in a safe environment. The Safe Surrender program recognizes that many persons are looking for a way to resolve their outstanding warrants, this program assures that individuals who surrender are treated fairly, with dignity and in a safe and professional environment.

 

For more information, please click here.

Diversion programs being offered by USAO and OAG starting September 6

If you would like the documents that went with this email, please email me and I will get them to you. Thanks! Laura

 (From PDS Attorney Janet Mitchell)

Beginning September 6, 2016, the US Attorney’s office and the OAG are offering two new diversion programs to clients who qualify.  This is not in lieu of already existing programs, this is in addition to those programs and is open to more clients.  I have attached a summary of the programs’ requirements and eligibility as well contracts for the programs.   

Under the new options, a client can now get a DSA regardless of how many prior misdemeanor convictions they have if they are deemed eligible.  They may also be eligible with prior felony convictions so long as they are over 10 years old (including serving probation or parole). 

The Employment Track diversion lasts for 6 months and requires that the client be a resident of DC.   After 8 weeks the client is required to have finished a three-week life skills/job readiness class and be in substantial compliance with all requirements of either the Career Connections or Project Empowerment programs. At the end of six months the client’s case will be dismissed with prejudice if they have been an active participant in Career Connections or Project Empowerment for two months, substantially complied with the program’s requirements and not been rearrested. 

The Education Track diversion lasts for six months and requires that the client be a resident of DC, be between the ages of 16-24, not already have a high school degree or GED and not presently be enrolled in school.  After 8 weeks the client must be have completed the intake process, enrolled in a school or program or be awaiting enrollment and be in substantial compliance with the Re-Engagement Center.  At the end of six months the client’s case will be dismissed with prejudice if they have not been rearrested, been an active participant in the Re-Engagement Center, enrolled in school or a program or working with their counselor to transfer to a school or program or have completed their program or received a degree. 

Police Misconduct, article by PDS attorney Jeff Stein

Recent opinion piece in the Washington Post by PDS attorney Jeff Stein

When "Belongings" become Evidence

This is an interesting story from the Atlantic this month about how the police can take one's belongings by calling it "evidence." Read here

DC MPD Police Orders

Do you need to find MPD Orders for a current case? Here is a link to the Orders online but you can always email me directly and I can send them to you as well; lmoorer@pdsdc.org

DC Court Rules

Here is a quick link for the most up to date version of the DC Court Rules. (including the DC Rules of Criminal Procedure, current as of April 2016).

Criminal Court E-Filing Deadline is September 19, 2016

This is just a friendly reminder that the mandatory date for e-filing in criminal cases is currently September 19^th.  You can register for your password here: CaseFileExpress

DC Jail HVAC Update will be available on the ListServ today.

Hello! Updated HVAC report being sent to the ListServ today. Please remember to also stop by if you would like a copy of the Dec. 2015, DC Crim Code and Procedure book.

Thank you!

DC Jail HVAC Update

Here is the latest information from the DOC on the current HVAC system at the DC Jail and the steps they are taking to try and fix the problem. DC JAIL HVAC UPDATE

Free DC Criminal Code and Procedure Books!

Hello! Due to a shipping error, PDS has many free copies of the Lexis, DC Criminal Code and Proceure book, December 2015 edition, avaible to the CJA bar on a first come, first serve basis.

The books will be in the reception area, on the 2nd floor.

Please note: The NEW APO statute, DC Code 22-405, is NOT in this edition, as it was just changed in June. So you will need to print out the new law to place in this copy.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks!
Laura

DC Legislative History

Please be sure to check out the DC Council's new link to the DC Code and to DC Legislative Histories back to Council Period 1!! This is an amazing, free resource with very update to date code section amendment information; more current than Westlaw or Lexis.

DC Council Law Library

Cell Site Simulator Evidence

Interesting story in the news last week about  "Stingray" Evidence by Reuters



Federal Judge Tosses Evidence

Welcome!

Welcome to the CJADC Legal News and Resources blog!
I plan to post news, publications and links to resources that you may find helpful to your practice. This is a work in progress but feel free to email me any suggestions or ideas you may like me to include.