Capital mitigaton skills workshop and capital consortium model Bring-Your-Own Case workshop

The purpose of the Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI) is to provide high-quality training and technical assistance on death penalty issues to judges and attorneys who litigate death penalty cases. This program focuses on ensuring quality representation and reliable jury verdicts. The goals of CCLI are to increase the number of capital litigation attorneys trained in death penalty cases, and to ensure that defense counsel, prosecutors, and judges have the most up-to-date and comprehensive information available to them on death penalty litigation.

The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (herein, UVA) will utilize the FY 2008 CCLI award to provide two mitigation skills workshop trainings to Virginia attorneys. For the purposes of implementing the Capital Mitigation Skills Workshop and Bring Your Own Case Workshop, the UVA will contract with the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center (VCRRC) to conduct said trainings during the Summer and Fall of 2010. The VCRRC provides expert legal representation, assistance, information, and other related services to indigent death-sentenced inmates and their appointed attorneys.

The following training curricula will be provided to Virginia attorneys: (1) processes and techniques of investigation; (2) team approach to developing and presenting mitigation evidence in capital cases; (3) summaries of mitigation requirements in recent case law; and (4) techniques and strategies for effectively presenting mitigating evidence at trial. Grant funds will cover the costs of fiscal agent administrative expenses, in-state travel expenses for participants, faculty, and support staff, workshop supplies, and consultant services (to assist in developing the curricula and agendas, and deliver presentations).

CA/NCF