By Joe Hooker
TDCAA Assistant Training Director in Austin
Do you remember in elementary school when you were sitting in the classroom, kids whispering a bit louder than usual because the teacher wasn’t there yet, and you heard in the distance squeaky wheels and metallic reverb rattling down the hallway? In rolled the gigantic tube TV, ratchet-strapped to a media cart: movie day! There were few things better than going to school, expecting multiplication tables and penmanship lessons, and getting to watch a movie instead.
While TDCAA cannot promise you the same magic of watching Shadow slowly yet triumphantly climb over the hill at the end of Homeward Bound, we can assure you that the writers at Disney never had your continuing legal education in mind. But TDCAA does! And we promise hours of pertinent, instructive training that will make you a more ethical, informed, and State Bar CLE-compliant prosecutor, all from the comfort of your favorite office chair or living room couch.
Let me tell you a little about the current showings at TDCAA’s online movie theater and what we plan on featuring in the near future.
Current showings
Introduction to Juvenile Law. TDCAA’s first online foray into the wild world of Juvenile Law, this is a must-watch for new practitioners in this often overlooked but critical area of the justice system. Our juvenile law experts hail from across the state and give insight for prosecutors practicing in both rural and urban jurisdictions. 4.0 hours of CLE. Cost: Free.
Mandatory Brady Training (2022). This audience favorite is now on its third version, but watch out, A Star is Born, because the fourth iteration of this essential (and absolutely mandatory) training will be released in 2026. If you haven’t seen this film, watch it today—because you might not only be missing a prosecutor classic, but also you might not be in full compliance with Texas Government Code §41.111. 1.25 hours of ethics CLE. Cost: Free.
Grievances and Prosecutorial Ethics. Want to know how to be ethical professionally? Curious what a grievance is and what you should do if you receive one from the State Bar? This member-exclusive series is for you. Featuring ethics experts Scott Durfee and C. Scott Brumley, this series does a deep dive into the grievance process as well as changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. 2.75 hours of ethics CLE. Cost: Free for paid TDCAA members.
Fundamentals of Child Welfare Law. This series will help prosecutors learn how to protect some of society’s most vulnerable members. In this six-part video course, you will learn the fundamental skills of child welfare law specifically designed for prosecutors who represent the Department of Family and Protective Services. 5.25 hours of CLE. Cost: Free.
Mental Health Video Series, Parts 1–5. This series of five videos runs the gamut on the intersection between a defendant’s mental health and the criminal justice system. From the basics of mental health terminology to how to start a mental health specialty court in your jurisdiction, this series features both mental health specialists and prosecutors from across the state who focus on cases involving mental health issues. 14.25 hours of CLE. Cost: Free.
Prosecuting an Intoxication Manslaughter Case: A Panel Discussion. This video course covers the essentials of trying an intoxication manslaughter case, including charging decisions, common defenses, crash reconstruction, toxicology evidence, jury selection, trial preparation, and working with victims and their families. The panel discussion of experienced prosecutors is moderated by TDCAA’s DWI Resource Prosecutor, W. Clay Abbott, and includes Jessica Frazier of the Comal County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Andrew James of the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, and Alison Baimbridge of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. 3 hours of CLE. Cost: Free.
Coming attractions
Legislative Update (Episode 89). The legislative branch of TDCAA has been burning the midnight oil since this, shall we say, interesting legislative session began. A record number of bills were filed this session, but which ones will make it over the finish line? Tune in after the dust has settled.
Forensics in the Courtroom. “I’m not a scientist but …” is something prosecutors across the state say in courtrooms every day. And the statement is true: We are indeed not scientists. But if we cannot communicate clearly and informatively with our experts, defense experts, and the jury, our ability to do justice is impeded. Taught by prosecutors who, while not scientists, are experts at communicating to witnesses and juries about forensic science and evidence, this course will cover both foundational forensic science and evidence as well as more newly accepted forms of forensic evidence.
Becoming Competent at Competency. A foundational principle of the justice system is that everyone on the journey through it is competent. But it is a presumption that can be challenged at any stage of the proceedings; can be raised by any party, including the court; and can be based on myriad reasons. This course will cover what prosecutors need to know about competency and how to properly prepare and proceed through a competency trial.
Diminishing Diminished Capacity. Arguments of diminished capacity are used every day in courtrooms to excuse criminal behavior without raising an actual legal defense. What is the jury actually allowed to know about defendants’ mental health histories, and when? And how can prosecutors do their best to make sure that improper evidence is not presented to the jury? Find out the answers in this upcoming course.