Lethal Weapon

Advanced trial advocacy course

Location: National Advocacy Center/On-Line Application
Course Date: April 16-20, 2007
Course Number: 01-07-LW
Deadline: February 2, 2007

Vehicular fatality cases are complex, requiring prosecutors to have a working knowledge of crash reconstruction and toxicology, as well as skills to work with expert witnesses and victims. The Lethal Weapon course is focused on teaching prosecutors to develop their knowledge and skills in trying these cases. A substantial portion of this four and a half day course involves presentations on crash reconstruction, technical investigation at the scene, and toxicology. The course also provides an advanced trial advocacy component in which participants receive a case file and participate in mock trial sessions. A unique feature of Lethal Weapon is the opportunity for prosecutors to conduct direct and cross-examinations of actual reconstructionists and toxicologists. Specifically, this course teaches prosecutors to:

• Learn how a crash reconstructionist determines speed from skid marks and vehicle damage
• Determine how vehicle and occupant kinematics assist in cases involving driver identification
• Understand the prosecutor's role at the scene of a traffic fatality
• Calculate BAC by learning alcohol "burn-off" rates and the Widmark formula
• Improve trial advocacy skills, particularly conducting direct and cross-examination of expert witnesses

Who Should Apply?

• Prosecutors with an experience level of two to three years trying impaired driving cases preferred.
  
• Prosecutors who currently handle vehicular fatality cases.
• Experienced prosecutors who want to increase their understanding of the technical evidence required to prove guilt in cases involving vehicular fatalities and improve their trial advocacy skills.