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Proyecto ACCESO Teaches Latin American Criminal Defense Lawyers Valuable Skills
California Western welcomes 60 international guests for Cross-Examination Trial Skills Academy
Peruvian lawyers attended a similar Trial Skills Academy at California Western in June, focusing on litigation skills and techniques
SAN DIEGO, August, 2010 -
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"The rule of law helps everyone," says Assistant Dean for Mission Development and Director of Proyecto ACCESO Jamie Cooper. "It helps indigenous peoples, students, workers, women's groups, multinational corporations, and governments. With the rule of law comes the enforcement of contracts, shareholder and IP rights, and the protection of fundamental human and civil rights."
Problem Solving in the Courtroom
The best criminal lawyers have the ability to interrogate many types of witnesses during a trial. Using the same techniques of interrogation for every witness is not effective. Lawyers with a multi-dimensional perspective and the ability to problem solve are able control the witness examination process and extract information that builds a winning case. The Cross-Examination Trial Skills Academy provides attendees with the skills and perspective needed to be effective in the courtroom.
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Cross-Examination Trial Skills Academy
During the Trial Skills Academy, attendees participate in lectures designed to teach them how to confront all types of witnesses, including police, informants, experts, and fragile witnesses. They become more efficient in trial techniques and strategies through role-playing the witness examination process with an actual police officer and expert witness. Dr. Ricardo Weinstein, a psychologist based out of Encinitas, Calif., and a qualified expert witness, will be the feature speaker for the Trial Skills Academy. Weinstein has testified in numerous state and federal courts, and is a qualified expert on mental retardation. He will discuss forensic evaluation, brain development, brain dysfunction, and the use of mental retardation as forensic evidence.
View the Cross-Examination Trial Skills Academy program.
Proyecto ACCESO Educates Legal Professionals
Since its inception, Proyecto ACCESO has trained thousands of legal professionals in the Americas, from judges to public defenders, private lawyers, and law enforcement agents, on ways to promote the rule of law in their countries. Through partnerships with the local bench, bar and Latin American legal community, Proyecto ACCESO helps Latin American countries transition their legal systems from the inquisitorial model to the oral, adversarial model found in the U.S. "We are moving legal systems from the darkness to the light, changing centuries of corrupt, opaque, and inherently unfair criminal and other procedures," says Cooper.
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