By Brian Klas
TDCAA Training Director in Austin
Here at TDCAA Training HQ, we often focus on covering topics that will have the broadest possible impact for the most folks in our membership. Any MCLE historian will see that we offer training on crimes against children about every two years. We do that because those are some of the most difficult and commonly tried cases in Texas. We offer our Prosecutor Trial Skills Course twice a year. That’s because we have so many people rotating into our profession who need a focused look at the fundamentals of Texas criminal trials. If you’re selling ice cream, you better have chocolate and vanilla (strawberry too—Neapolitan is a superior product). Not only are they delicious flavors, but they are also the most sought-after.
That said, a good ice cream vendor also knows you must have rum raisin (yuck) and pistachio (surprisingly tasty) on hand if you want to satisfy the tastes of as many ice cream lovers as possible. We’re halfway through our 2023 season of training and I’m here to ring the bell—letting you know that we’ve got the usual solid choices of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, but we also have a few pints of rocky road in the freezer to keep you cool this summer.
What’s coming up
I’m tempted to write that we’re serving up three rare scoops of training to beat the summer heat, but I think the metaphor has run its course. At the end of July, we are putting on two conferences, both in Waco, aimed at a smaller segment of prosecutors. First up is our annual Advanced Trial Advocacy Course. Generously hosted again by the Baylor Law School, the course is a thorough exploration of a specific charge (this year it’s intoxication manslaughter). Attendees will split their time between attending lectures and conducting key phases of trial in one of Baylor’s practice courts. The performances will be recorded and critiqued by expert prosecutors, then attendees will review their recorded work one-on-one with another faculty member. To create the most realistic environment possible, the course is built around evidence and material from an actual case. Because the program’s quality is dependent on a high faculty-to-student ratio, attendance is by application only and is limited to 32 prosecutors. If you are ready to hone your trial skills, this course is for you. Look for applications and instructions in your mailbox or on TDCAA’s website.
Our other school in Waco is a brand-new offering: the first ever Civil Practitioner Boot Camp. It’s long been on the training wish list, and TDCAA’s Civil Committee has worked for the last year to put together a course aimed squarely at prosecutors new to a civil caseload. Like our Prosecutor Trial Skills Course, this training will be taught using a faculty advisor model. Attendees will be assigned to tables with an experienced prosecutor to guide them through three days of lecture and case scenarios. Topics will range from core concepts of government representation to key procedural concerns. If you are new to civil work or you are looking to expand your skills, consider this new avenue of training. Like many of TDCAA’s offerings, there is an additional hidden value here: the opportunity to meet and network with prosecutors from all over the state who are confronted with the same issues as you. The benefits of peer support and professional connections are unparalleled. Because this is a prototype course, attendance is limited. Check our website in the coming weeks for more details.
Summer closes out with a solution to a longstanding Prosecution Management Institute (PMI) problem. Currently, the only way to attend our three-day Fundamentals of Management course is as either a county hosting the training or as a guest of the hosting county. It is a solid delivery model for many offices, but for small offices and individuals who have missed out on the training, there hasn’t been a reliable way to attend the course. This year, at the end of August, we are offering our first standalone PMI course here in Austin. Built by prosecutors with the assistance of professional consultants, this training provides current and prospective supervisors with the tools they need to effectively and ethically manage within an elected prosecutor’s office. Attendance will be limited. Details for this course as well as instructions on how to host a course in your home county can be found on TDCAA’s training page, www.tdcaa.com/training.
And other upcoming courses
If those three conferences don’t pique your interest, why don’t you sample one of our other great programs? For new prosecutors or those wanting a refresher, don’t forget our Prosecutor Trial Skills Course in July. Of consistent value, it is a foundational building block for a prosecutor’s work. Later, at the tail end of summer, we have the Annual Criminal & Civil Law Conference. We’ll be in Central Texas this year—at a waterpark. There will be over 40 hours of training to pick from and to later reflect upon as you float atop a manmade river. It screams for an ice cream treat!
And what if you can’t make it out at all this summer? Don’t forget to check out our website for online training. Keep an eye peeled for a collection of regional programs in the fall. Also remember that our Key Personnel & Victim Assistance Coordinator Conference will be held in November followed by our Elected Prosecutor Conference. At TDCAA we are driven by the needs of our membership, with the goal of delivering timely, relevant, and accessible training. If you still are unable to find what you’re looking for, send me an email. If you want to get involved in TDCAA training, send me an email. If you would like assistance with some other training, send me an email. If you have a real issue with clever ice cream wordplay, keep it to yourself.
I hope to see you at an event soon.