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New York State Defenders Association
DEFENDER INSTITUTE
Basic Trial Skills Program
About the Defender Institute
"Confidence, confidence, confidence! I now believe that I can try a criminal case." Program Participant (1998) "It reaffirmed my greatest strength and my belief that
the client should be the foundation of my work." Program Participant (1997) "I am leaving this place feeling energized, supported and strong. Thank you for reminding me why I became a lawyer and public defender."
"...a model for other agencies that provide legal assistance to the poor."
About the Basic Trial Skills Program
The Basic Trial Skills Program
(BTSP) is designed to help attorneys with little or no trial experience become skilled in the techniques of jury persuasion and confident of their abilities to conduct jury trials. A second goal of the program is to
increase the sensitivity of participants to the conditions of the lives of their clients and to promote caring, humane and effective representation. The program seeks to promote a long-term commitment to the
representation of poor people. In 1989, the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association presented the Defender Institute its award for outstanding contribution to criminal law education.The
training includes lectures and demonstrations by attorneys and communication specialists and small group exercises and informal sessions with participants and faculty. Participants are divided into small groups
according to experience. Topics covered during the seven-day program include jury persuasion, theory of the case, client interviews, voir dire, opening statement, objections, cross-examination, impeachment,
demonstrative evidence, direct examination and closing argument. Trial exercises are accompanied by lectures and demonstrations, as well as videotape critiques. Please recognize that this program is extremely
demanding, with more than 40 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and critiques. To successfully participate in the training, you must commit time prior to the program to be familiar with all case materials you receive as
well as prepare daily during the program for participant exercises. Participants accepted for the Basic Trial Skills Program are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Institute.
Dates
Traditionally the BTSP is held in the first week of June. Stop by NYSDA's Training Page
for an announcement of the next scheduled program.Location and Accommodations
The last Defender Institute Basic Trial Skills Program was
held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy New York. Participants shared a dormitory room in an RPI student residence hall. Single rooms may be available on a limited basis for a fee.
Application and Admissions Process
The Defender Institute seeks to accept individuals from as many counties as possible throughout New York State. The participant population is comprised of full-time defenders,
part-time defenders and assigned counsel practitioners who handle a substantial number of criminal cases for poor people in their jurisdictions. Participants are trained by some of the best trial attorneys and
communication specialists in the country. Due to the popularity of this program, the large number of applicants and the cost of this program, participants selected are required to make a personal commitment to attend
all sessions of the program. Each year NYSDA's Defender Institute receives more applications than it can accept. Unfortunately, it must turn down some applicants due to lack of space in the program. Because
participants will learn from each other both informally and in small group exercises, a diverse student body is sought. Some of the factors considered for acceptance are: levels of trial experience; diversity of the
participant population; commitment to the representation of the poor; need for training; and the skills or experiences, both in and out of the law, that you can share with fellow participants. Those persons not selected
for the program will be placed on a ranked waiting list. It is extremely important for you to complete this application carefully. Application information is subject to confirmation by chief defenders. To Apply:
Send a COMPLETED APPLICATION AND YOUR RESUME to NYSDA. Several weeks prior to BTSP applications will be available from our office. Persons with late applications will be placed on a ranked waiting list. About the New York State Defenders Association
Spurred on by the United States Supreme Court's decision in
Gideon V. Wainwright, the New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) was incorporated in 1967 to be the voice for defense lawyers in New York State. In 1981, New York State contracted with the Association to run
the nation's first Public Defense Backup Center, a clearinghouse that provides consultation, research, expert referrals, training and publications to the state's more than 5,000 public defense attorneys. In 1987, NYSDA
established the Defender Institute. The Institute presents the Basic Trial Skills Program and carries out a statewide series of accredited continuing legal education seminars for public defense attorneys |
