Melendez-Diaz, Bullcoming, and Williams: Scientific Evidence and the Right to Confrontation
Arcadia University, King of Prussia Campus
1150 First Ave., Suite 700
King of Prussia, PA 19406
When:
January 13, 2012
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Course Instructor and Panel Moderator: Barry Logan, PhD, DABFT – Executive Director, The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education
COURSE FEE: $50.00
Registration is now closed.
3 HOURS OF SUBSTANTIVE CLE CREDIT NOW AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA!
New Jersey state CLE credit applied for, pending approval…Check back for updates.
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued two important rulings in the last three years on issues concerning the admissibility of laboratory results in criminal cases: Melendez-Diaz vs. Massachusetts and Bullcoming vs. New Mexico. These opinions have built on and support the standard that has previously been set in Crawford. The Supreme Court is now being asked to address some of the detail regarding how the right to confrontation is met without clogging the courts with scientific witnesses or emptying laboratories. These questions include the issues of how to define an “analyst” and what different people involved at various stages of the analysis can testify to. In December the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of Williams vs. Illinois, a decision which will provide further clarity concerning who will be allowed to testify to what. More widespread availability and Improved quality of video testimony systems and advanced laboratory data networks create options that form part of the solution to the balance between Sixth Amendment rights and the best use of the most qualified scientific witnesses. This workshop will feature perspectives on the Court’s underlying constitutional analysis of right to confrontation, the specific rulings in Melendez-Diaz and Bullcoming, and discussion of the possible outcomes in Williams. Half hour lectures from each of the speakers on the various aspects of the cases will be followed by a panel discussion and time for questions from the audience.
SCHEDULE
8:00 am – 8:30 am: REGISTRATION
8:30 am – 9:00 am: “A Constitutional Perspective” – JULES EPSTEIN, J.D.— Associate Professor of Law, Widener University
9:00 am – 9:30 am: “A Prosecutor’s Perspective: – BORIS MOCZULA—Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Director in the Divison of Criminal Justice in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office
9:30 am – 10:00 am: BREAK
10:00 am – 10:30 am: “A Defense Perspective” – JUSTIN MCSHANE, ESQ—Criminal Defense Attorney Specializing in DUI Defense and President/CEO, The McShane Firm, LLC
10:30 am – 11:00 am: “A Lab Director’s Perspective” – ROB MIDDLEBERG, PhD, DABFT— Vice President of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Director at NMS Labs
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: PANEL DISCUSSTION moderated by BARRY LOGAN, PhD, DABFT—Executive Director at The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education