Table of Contents - American Bar Association

1. We have had in person meetings in Washington, DC in November 2009, in Charleston in
April 2010 and in New York in June at the Forensics program. In between, we have had
two phone conference calls. We will be meeting in San Francisco in August.
2. A number of our committee members helped plan the Prescriptions for Forensic
Evidence program which was held recently in New York. It was very successful. There
will be a follow up phone conference to discuss repeating the program next year.
3. Bill Summers is beginning to work Native American/Native Alaskan defense
representation issues. There is some legislation pending in Congress, but it does not
appear to address the defense counsel issues that we are concerned about.
4. We are looking at the issue of Brady materials, discovery and depositions in criminal
cases.
5. Crystal Roland has been an enthusiastic and valuable member of the team in her
capacity as Chair of the Subcommittee on Indigent Defense. She has recruited others to
join her and is actively looking for opportunities to address these issues. She is writing a
one page article for CJS Magazine.
6. We again contributed an update for the Defense Function Chapter in the State of
Criminal Justice. Many thanks to Bill Summers for spearheading this endeavor.
7. The Defense Function Listserve has been used to keep people updated and to distribute
articles of interest.
In June 2010, the committee cosponsored, Prescriptions for Criminal Justice Forensics
Conference at Fordham University School of Law in New York. Over 200 persons attended
plus the faculty.
Ethics, Gideon and Professionalism Committee
Co‐Chairs: Lohra Miller, Peter Joy and Ellen Yaroshefsky
No Report Submitted
Judicial Function
Co‐Chairs: Barry Kamis, Theodore McKee, Eunhae Park
The Judicial Function Committee explored ways in which the judiciary may minimize the
danger of wrongful convictions. In support of that goal it submitted a recommendation
ultimately adopted by the House that urges trial courts to conduct a pre‐trial conference to
ensure that the parties are fully aware of their respective disclosure obligations and to offer the
courtʹs assistance in resolving disputes over disclosure obligations.
The pre‐trial conference will have several positive effects: courts will anticipate issues that
might otherwise delay or derail a trial; courts will enhance the truth‐finding function of the
trial; previously undisclosed evidence may have a bearing on pre‐trial suppression issues; pleabargaining
will be facilitated; courts can rule on whether certain evidence is discoverable.
In June 2010, the committee cosponsored, Prescriptions for Criminal Justice Forensics
Conference at Fordham University School of Law in New York. Over 200 persons attended
plus the faculty.
ABA Criminal Justice Section Annual Report 2009-2010 38