We will continue and expand the work begun by the “Brady Best Practices” group, by promoting the implementation and awareness of the Brady Resolution that was passed by the Criminal Justice Section Council in April 2011 and currently stands before the House of Delegates in August 2011. The Brady Resolution has proposed a model practice for the identification and production, in a timely manner, of exculpatory materials to defendants in state and federal criminal prosecutions.
Ensure that our Committee is interfacing with the chairs and planning committees of the CJS National Institutes that are of importance to our members. This initiative includes efforts to ensure that Committee members have speaking opportunities at the same.
Foster a routine dialogue with other committees and sections on matters of common interest, including but not limited to, The CJS Prosecution and Defense Functions; the ABA CJS Standards Committee, and ABA Task Forces including Global Anti-Corruption and Attorney Privilege.
Work with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, in continuing the DOJ Dialogue Group meetings with the Department. Encourage Regional chairs to focus on dialogue sessions between the defense bar and the U.S. Attorney's Offices in their regions where issues of common concern can be discussed.
Encourage Regional and Substantive chairs to hold three programs per year within their respective regions to assist members in staying current on relevant topics and better monitor their progress. Each program should qualify for CLE credit.
Encourage the Regional and Subcommittee chairs to continue to contribute and solicit articles and other items to the WCC's quarterly e-newsletter, and to continue to contribute to the Criminal Justice Section publications.
Encourage WCC members to participate and contribute articles to the WCC quarterly e-newsletter.
Work with the Section's Book Board and CLE Board Committees on publishing relevant WCC materials.
Solicit new policy initiatives and maintain timetables to ensure their timely completions.
Continue work on the issue of over-criminalization generally, including a complete overhaul of the federal criminal code, the preservation of the attorney-client and work-product privileges, and addressing relevant sentencing issues arising under the advisory guidelines, with other CJS committees, NACDL, and the Heritage Foundation.
Continue to work on initiatives focused on expanding our membership, including but not limited to the AICPA initiative, as well as efforts to attract new ABA members to our Committee.
Recognize the efforts and accomplishments of Committee members whenever possible.
That we established a task force on statements to the press in criminal cases and review the ABA policy on this issue. These issues often occur in high-profile cases and I think a task force to review and update the ABA policy on this issue would be worthwhile
