Prosecuting DV & Child Sex Assault Spk Evals 2025

TUESDAY

Power Dynamics –Allenna Bangs, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Tarrant County

Discovery: Procurement & Disclosure – Meli Powers & Lauren Scott, Asst. Criminal District Attorneys, Bexar County

Case Study – Lisa Borden, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Midland County

WEDNESDAY

DV TRACK

Analysis & Charging – Jessica Escue, Asst. District Attorney, Brazos County, & Staley Heatly, County Attorney Wilbarger County

Recantation & Memory – Mary McFaden, Asst. District Attorney, Harris County

Overcoming Crawford & Hearsay – Emil Mikkelsen, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Smith County

Defense Issues – Sarah Moore, Asst. District Attorney, Williamson County

Domestic Violence in Texas: Status & Resources – Kristin Burns, TDCAA DV Resource Prosecutor, Austin

CHILD SEX ASSAULT TRACK

Analysis & Charging – Jenn Sawyer, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Dallas County

State’s Experts – Ben Kaminar, First Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Lamar County

Pretrial Motions & Hearings – Jessica Ramos, Asst. District Attorney, Fort Bend County

Child Testimony: Preparation and Execution – Denise Nichols, Asst. District Attorney, Harris County

Defense Issues – Felicia Olyphant, First Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Rockwall County

CPS TRACK

Obtaining Delayed Birth Certificates – Agata Vana, Asst. County Attorney, Burnet County

ICWA Primer – Rebecca Safavi, Appellate Attorney, Department of Family & Protective Services

Admission of Child Testimony – Karen Qualls, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Denton County & Michele Surratt, Managing Attorney, Department of Family & Protective Services

Required Permanency Hearing Findings for Older Youth in Care – Jesus Guillen, Asst. County Attorney, Harris County

Service on Parents in Foreign Countries – Mauro Valdez, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Bexar County

Caselaw Update – Melissa Cuadrado & Amie Serrano, Appellate Attorneys, Department of Family & Protective Services

THURSDAY

DV TRACK

Voir Dire – Hilary LaBorde, Asst. County & District Attorney, Limestone County

Open & Close – Tara Avants, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, McLennan County

Cross Examination – Kathleen Arnold, Asst. District Attorney, Hays County

State’s Case – Emily Kirby & Chase Payne, Asst. Criminal District Attorneys, Tarrant County

Punishment – Jerry Varney, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Dallas County

CHILD SEX ASSAULT TRACK

Voir Dire – Katie Warren, Asst. District Attorney, Harris County

Open & Close– James Zaleta, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Tarrant County

Cross Examination– Kim D’Avignon, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Tarrant County

State’s Case– Brittany Aaron & Donna Hansen, Asst. District Attorneys, Montgomery County

Punishment– Cassie Graham, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Lubbock County

CPS TRACK

Nuts and Bolts of Aggravated Circumstances Cases –Christine Rankin, Regional Attorney, Department of Family & Protective Services

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)– Brenda Kinsler, Staff Attorney, Texas Children’s Commission

Civil Writs & Warrants– Samantha Magee, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Taylor County

Cross Examination– Caren Presley, Regional Attorney, Department of Family & Protective Services

Confidentiality Issues– Sarah Best, Managing Attorney, Department of Family & Protective Services, & Tiffany Reedy, Asst. County Attorney, Harris County

DV Dynamics in Child Welfare Cases– Katherine Argabright, Asst. Criminal District Attorney, Bexar County

FRIDAY

Forum: Key Competency –Staley Heatly, County Attorney Wilbarger County, Audrey Louis, 81st Judicial District Attorney, Paige Pattillo, First Asst. County Attorney, Nacogdoches County, Jacob Putman, Criminal District Attorney, Smith County

Ethics Scenarios – W. Clay Abbott, TDCAA DWI Resource Prosecutor, Austin, & Mariel Puryear, Asst. County Attorney, Williamson County