Criminal Law Section

News from the Section

Realignment and California’s New Sentencing Structure

The State Bar Criminal Law Section and Loyola Law School present
Realignment and California’s New Sentencing Structure

Saturday,  March 10, 2012, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Merrifield Hall, Loyola Law School
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA

Registration: 8 a.m. -9 a.m. Campus is located at the corner of Olympic and Albany.
MCLE Hours: 2.5 Hours of MCLE and Legal Specialization credit

You can now REGISTER ONLINE for this program.  Register early, seating is limited!  Cost is $65 for members of the Criminal Law Section and $80 for all others.  More information will be posted here in mid-February. Cost: $65 for members; non-members $80

Realignment is the biggest change to California sentencing laws since “Three Strikes’.  Learn what the changes are, the different sentencing options, and how defending and prosecuting a criminal case is affected. 

Featured speaker is Judge (Ret) Richard Couzens who will discuss the application of these new sentencing provisions, including the changes in custody credit and the split/two tiered sentence provisions.  Albert Camacho, Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and Michael Silverman, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will also be present to discuss changes, strategies and answer questions.

Cancellations and refund requests must be received in writing by March 5, 2012. Refunds will not be available after this date.  For more information, please call 415-538-2568

Annual Writing Competition - Now Accepting 2012 Submissions and 2011 Winners Announced!

Fourth Annual Writing Competition - Now Accepting Submissions

The Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of California is pleased to announce its Fourth Annual Competition for Student Papers in Criminal Law and/or Criminal Procedure

Prizes

Grand Prize

  • $500 cash prize
  • The Grand Prize –winning paper will be published in the Criminal Law Journal, the official quarterly publication of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of California
  • One-year student membership in the Criminal Law Section

Three Honorable Mentions

  • $150 cash prize
  • Each of the papers awarded Honorable Mention status will be published in the Criminal Law Journal, the official quarterly publication of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of California
  • One-year student membership in the Criminal Law Section

For More information, see 2012 Annual Writing Competition.

2011 Annual Competition Winners

Grand Prize

  • "Conflict of Interest Fraud" after Skilling, by Mark E. McDonald (NYU School of Law)

Honorable Mention Prizes:

  • Hawaii's HOPE Program: A Possible Alternative for Federal Drug Offenders?, by Lauren Kunkle (University of Virginia School of Law)
  • Prosecutorial Discretion: Constraints on Power, by Noah Marshall (UC Davis [King Hall] School of Law)
  • Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Virtual LWOP Sentencing after Graham v. Florida, by Christina Lenon (UCLA School of Law)

CLE at Your Convenience

View Criminal Law Section programs over the internet for participatory MCLE credit.Choose from more than 275 hours of official State Bar of California MCLE programs at both modem and broadband connection speeds.

Among the courses offered from the Criminal Law Section are:

  • Credibility and Character Evidence
  • Eliminating Bias in the Jury Selection Process: Tips & Tactics in Criminal & Civil Trials
  • Ethical Considerations for Prosecutors and Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • Following Your Conscience Without Losing Your Head
  • Hate Crimes After 9/11: Where Do We Stand
  • He Said! She Said! Hearsay Rules and Objections
  • Jury Selection: Tips and Tactics in Criminal and Civil Trials
  • Legislative Update: New Laws for 2002
  • Motions in Limine: Win Before You Begin
  • Narc, Narc...Who's There?
  • The Innocence Project: When the Criminal Justice System Fails
  • Using a Language Interpreter

For more information, go to streaming audio and video, select "Criminal Law" and look for courses from the Criminal Law Section.

Versa-Tape Company has a large library of audio cds and dvds of educational programs sponsored by the State Bar of California and all of the State Bar Sections. For a detailed list of available Criminal Law programs, call 626-791-8907, 800-727-8883 or visit versatape.com.

Save money with CEB

CEB Discount Program for Section MembersContinuing Education of the Bar, California (CEB) is extending some special discount offers to our section. As a member of the Criminal Law Section, you're eligible for:

  • 10% off selected CEB print or online books
  • rebate on your section dues that can be applied to the cost of a CEB Gold CLE Passport or a CLE program ticket

A complete list of the products eligible for a discount is available on a CEB web page accessible through our Members Only Area. Information about the section dues rebate program can be found on the CEB Web site.

Contact Us

Criminal Law Section
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
415/538-2568
415/538-2368 fax