TRAINING

The Public Defender Training Division provides state, county, municipal, and youth court defenders continuing legal education programs, case law and legislative updates, legal research, and technical assistance in complex cases. The Division also oversees the collection and reporting of data for the Legislature and Public Defender Taskforce.

TRAINING EVENTS

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

 

PAST TRAINING EVENTS 

2025 Fall OSPD & MPDA Public Defender Conference
Riley Center – Meridian, MS
October 22-24, 2025
 

Conference MATERIALS:

2025 Fall OSPD & MPDA Agenda
CLE - Form 
Travel Expenses Form & Reimbursement Instructions
Travel- Voucher
Wednesday, October 22 2025
PD's and Police Misconduct:  Identifying and Preserving Client's Civil Rights Claims - Michelle Dahl
Fall 2025 Appellate Law Update - Justin Cook
Evidence Refresher for Busy Defenders - Franklin Rosenblatt
Thursday, October 23 2025
Judicial Commitments in Circuit Court: Balancing Rights, Responsibilities, and Reform - Tameika Bennett
ETHICS: Ethical Use of Generative AI for Criminal Defense Lawyers - Ben Cooper
The Holistic Defense Project (Panel) - Hinds County PD Office
Vertical Representation - Pam Metzger
Digital Forensic Evidence:  An Overview of the Available Technologies and How They Appear in Cases - Alice Fontier
-Parole Eligibility, ERS, Trusty Time, and MET - Jake Howard
   Additional information on Parole Eligibility - Jake Howard
Friday, October 24 2025
Youth Court Forms - Jennifer Morgan
  CPS Motion For Disclosure
  CPS Order Permitting Disclosure of Records
  Motion for Subpoena for Youth Court Records-Current Child
  Subpoena Deuces Tecum
  YC Order Perm Limited Disclosure
Utilizing the Science of False Confessions to Litigate Confession Cases - Lauren Gottesman (contact Berenda Pendleton)
Civil Rights and Homelessness - Joshua Toms

2025 Fall Family Defense Certification Training 
September 17-18, 2025 
Golden Nugget Casino - Biloxi, MS
 

Conference MATERIALS:

AGENDA

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Supporting Immigrant Parents in 2025 - Rachel Konrad
Ethics of motion Practice - Arman Miri and Chad Shook
Resource List for Parent Attorneys

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Working with Incarcerated Parents - Nina Datlof
Indian Child Welfare Act - Shannon Smith
Constitutional Protections in Child Welfare Cases - Nina Datlof
Youth Court Reform in Mississippi:  Progress and Possibilities - Vicki Lowery and Wendy Shelton

 

 

2025 Fall Youth Defense Certification Training
September 18-19, 2025
Golden Nugget Casino - Biloxi, MS

 

Conference MATERIALS:

AGENDA, 

Thursday, September 18, 2025 
Youth Court Reform in Mississippi: Progress and Possibilities - Vicki Lowery and Wendy Shelton
Happiness is a Warm Gun (case) - Jack Harrison and Lakita Leonard

Friday, September 19, 2025
The Silent Consequence - Brandon H Riches
Confined Without Cause - Kristina Kersey
Barrister's Battle - Brenda Locke
Gault Center Resource Library Page

 

 

2025 Spring OSPD & MPDA Public Defender Conference
Westin Hotel - Jackson
407 South Congress Street
Jackson, MS 39201
April 23, 2025 – April 25, 2025

 

Conference MATERIALS: 

AGENDA
CLE FORM
TRAVEL FORM
Understanding DWI Detection and Standard Field Sobriety Test - Blake Stutzman
Guiding the Way: Supporting Clients with Mental Health Challenges- Stacy Ferraro
MS Public Defender Trial School Recap:  Strategies, Skills and Surprises - Arthur Calderon
BrainStorming Your Case:  A Critical Part of Building the Story - Shawna Geiger
ABA Ten Principles of a Public Defender Delivery System - Malia Brink and Cynthia Lee
"Tickets to the Show": Demonstrative Aids and What to Pack in Your Trial Briefcase - Michael S Carr
Collateral Consequences:  Navigating Family Defense in Felony Cases - Shawna M Geiger
Motions in Motion: Practical Tips to Advance Your Defense - Graham Carner
Appellate Law Update - Justin Cook
Day One Representation - Pamela Metzger and Richard Carter
The Power of Clear, Compassionate, Client Communication - Demetrice Williams Wells 

Due to the unforeseen gas leak explosion in Lee County, we are moving next week's Youth and Family Defense Conference to Oxford, Mississippi. The conference will move to the Oxford Conference Center located at 102 Ed Perry Blvd., Oxford, MS  38655.  

For those who previously made hotel reservations at Hotel Tupelo, a Wyndham Hotel we have transferred your reservation to Tru by Hilton and the Marriott TownePlace Suites, both very close to the Convention Center.  It is VERY IMPORTANT to let us know, no later than Monday, March 17, 2025, if you will not need your hotel room.  We have secured your hotel room and if you are a no-show, we will have to pay for that room.
Over the weekend, please check your email for the rooming list for both hotels. In the meantime, please contact our office or email Berenda for any questions at 601-259-2013.

 

Youth Defender Certification Training

March 19 – 20, 2025

Oxford Conference Center
102 Ed Perry Blvd
Oxford, MS  38655

Materials
AGENDA
Disposition Alternatives Comparison Chart 
Barrister's Battle:  Youth Court Jeopardy Questions and Answers
View from the Bench:  Advocating For Your Client
Paying the Price:  Restitution in Youth Court

Family Defense Certification Training

March 20 – 21, 2025

Oxford Conference Center 
102 Ed Perry Blvd., 
Oxford, MS  38655

 Conference MATERIALS:

AGENDA
Drug Testing in Child Welfare Cases
Trial Skills With Medical Evidence
Ethics
 

Constitutional Capital Voir Dire Training

March 5 - 7, 2025

Hollywood Casino 
711 Hollywood Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS
(228) 469-2100

Conference MATERIALS:
AGENDA

Can't find what you're looking for? Materials for past conferences are available on request - just email Berenda Pendleton.