Defense Investigation Certificate

The Center for Justice in Capital Cases is proud to offer intensive training to investigators, paralegals, and students who are interested in learning the skills necessary to competently conduct criminal defense investigations.

  • Individuals: to be more professional and effective defense investigators
  • Organizations: to create a highly effective investigation team

Overview

This is an intensive weekend certificate program. The course addresses best practices concerning the following: history of defendant's right to competent representation, evidentiary considerations; witness interviewing; developing case theory through investigation; locating witnesses; ethics and the defense investigator; client investigator relationships; legal framework of privilege; search and seizure concerns; subpoenas and process service; discovery rules that affect the defense investigator; legal research for the defense investigator; testifying; issues concerning firearms and ballistics; legal writing; forensics and the use of science; and fatal wound in homicide cases.

Topics

Upon the successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge in a person's constitutional right to competent representation
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of evidence, rules that apply to evidence and why rules of evidence are necessary
  • Identify various categories of witnesses
  • Measure credibility of witnesses
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Case theory
  • Design an investigative plan
  • Discuss the "Work Product Doctrine"
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how the "Work Product Doctrine" protects clients and discuss its limitations
  • Apply the techniques and practices of defense investigation
  • Testify in court
  • Prepare competent reports
  • Take statements (written, audio, and/or visual)
  • Transport evidence

Who Should Attend

  • County Public Defender investigators
  • State Appellate Defender investigators
  • Federal Defender investigators
  • Private Investigators
  • Forensic Social Workers
  • Social Science majors
  • Criminal Justice majors
  • Paralegals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a book?
The following material will be used to support the delivery of this instruction:
Defense Investigation Manual, Lyon, Smith, Richards, Hughes, Ciolino

Is there a test?
Students are expected to pass a final examination in order to be certified. The examination will test their knowledge of and skills in applying defense investigative tools and concepts.

Faculty Pool

Andrea Lyon, and Mort Smith are experts in the field of criminal defense investigation. For years they have advocated the need for competent investigators to represent the accused from the field. They believe in the team approach to criminal defense and by developing this program hope to insure a standard of quality that will extend throughout the defense community.

Group Rates
$1,195 - Individual Rate (per student)
$1,000 - Group/Government Rate (3 or more)*

*Contact Mort Smith

For more information contact:
Mort Smith
Emailmsmith44@depaul.edu
Phone(312) 362-7227
fax: (312) 362-5421

Defense Investigation Certificate Web Site

The Center for Justice in Capital Cases