DNA post-conviction-DA objections It is unfortunate when we read about District Attorney’s offices that object to DNA testing in post-conviction cases. They often cite that the prisoner is untimely in his or her request and there is no statutory basis for it. They argue that the conviction has become final. It seems in so arguing […]
Conviction Integrity Unit- A good idea
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins has done something unusual with his tenure as being District Attorney. In 2007, he established a Conviction Integrity Unit. He has set aside a portion of his budget and human resources to look over old cases and determine through the use of DNA whether or not the convictions are […]
Hands-on DNA Training for Lawyers
Hands-on DNA Training for Lawyers On November 15-17, 2013, the defense bar got a big boost in its quest to promote justice. In over 23 hours of hands on training, twenty attorneys assembled at Boise State University to learn DNA analysis. The course itself was taught by Dr. Greg Hampikian, Laura Wendell and Mike Davis. […]
SFSTs are unproven assumptions– “on her most gymnastic day”
The change to the SFSTs Very recently the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published their new Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) opus. Here is the link to the new 2013 Guide: http://www.tdcaa.com/sites/default/files/page/2013%20SFST%20Participant%20Manual.pdf In the new 2013 version of the SFST Guide (note the change in […]