Weekly COVID-19 Report for Prosecutors and Courts, June 10, 2020

June 10, 2020 - Bulletin No. 9

CNA and NDAA recognize that in the midst of this global pandemic, the United States is facing a trying and important moment for our criminal justice system and our country as a whole. CNA and NDAA will continue to work with our partner organizations to promote the effective and fair administration of justice.

Prosecutors' offices and court systems across the nation are being impacted by COVID-19. Their daily work to maintain constitutional justice is being uprooted, altered, and halted. CNA and NDAA have partnered to actively develop and disseminate useful COVID-19 response resources to prosecutors and courts to support them during this trying time. This weekly bulletin shares helpful information and resources, as well as upcoming virtual networking events.

Registration Now Available

Please join us for a webinar on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 from 2:00-3:00 PM EDT featuring Kim Foxx, Cook County State's Attorney; Kim Ogg, Harris County District Attorney; and Raul Torrez, Bernalillo County District Attorney on:

Experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Lessons learned and adaptations that have been made in the past two months
Challenges, plans, and actions moving forward as courts re-open and business operations resume

Learn More and Register

CNA and NDAA will be conducting a series of webinars on domestic violence in the COVID-19 era. Please join us for a webinar on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 from 3:00-4:00 PM EDT on:

Strengthening victim-prosecutor connections to enhance prosecution
Research surrounding the reasons victims remain in abusive relationships
The occurrence of recants and how they can be avoided
Victim involvement in prosecution
The role of empathy
Factors to consider when suggesting sentences in domestic violence cases

Learn More and Register

CNA and NDAA will be conducting a series of webinars on domestic violence in the COVID-19 era. Please join us for a webinar, in partnership with Aequitas, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 from 2:00-3:30 PM EDT on:

Limitations of a traditional fact-gathering approach
Alternative techniques to minimize re-traumatization
Enhancing the ability to re-create the reality of the crime at trial
Strategies for integrating a trauma-informed response throughout an entire case

Learn More and Register

Useful Resources

Criminal Court Reopening and Public Health in the COVID-19 Era

The National Association for Criminal Defense Attorneys released a report addressing court reopening and made recommendations for for criminal courts. The publication discusses various issues including effective representation, virtual platforms, and health measures.

Access the document here.

Conducting and Defending in Court a Pandemic-Era Forensic Interview

On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in partnership with the Zero Abuse Project, we hosted a webinar on conducting tele-forensic interviews. During this event, we received a number of questions that we have compiled, along with other related resources, in this document. To view the full webinar, click here.

Access the document here .

Innovative Responses

Panola County, Mississippi

The Panola County Circuit Court conducted its' first post-pandemic felony criminal jury trial using the Civic Center, a city-owned arena. F or more information, click here .

Arizona

The Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council authored a Report On Prosecutorial Response To COVID-19. For more information, click here .

Dallas, Texas

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas held a test criminal jury trial last week. For mor e information, click here .

From NDAA

Asked and Answered

Have various jurisdictions released information of jury trial protocols?

Many jurisdictions are deciding when and how they will proceed with jury trials . The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas established these protocols during their test jury trial last week.

We want to hear from you! If you would like to submit questions or have other concerns, please email us at covid19_courts@cna.org .

COVID-19-related news articles and resources, and past bulletins will be posted on the NDAA website . Continue to check the website for updated information.

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