As you know, the criminal justice system was set up to ensure a fair trial for the defendant in a criminal action. However, to truly provide fair representation, you need an in-depth understanding of the issues and procedures involved. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your defense skills and knowledge of trial proceedings from start to finish.

Our experienced practitioners will take you, step by step, through the criminal trial. Learn how to conduct voir dire and evaluate potential jurors. Get the strategies the pros use to prepare and deliver electrifying opening statements and closing arguments. Come away with insight into handling the examination of lay and expert witnesses at trial. Discover how to present evidence for the best results. You’ll also find out how jury instructions can impact the final verdict.

1. Getting Started
2. Effective Opening Statements
3. Examination of Witnesses
4. Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Law
5. Presentation of Defense Evidence
6. Dynamic Use of Closing Arguments
7. Concluding the Trial

1. GETTING STARTED
   9:00 - 9:45, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Preparing for Voir Dire
   2. Conducting Voir Dire
   3. Evaluating Potential Jurors
   4. Jury Selection
2. EFFECTIVE OPENING STATEMENTS
   9:45 - 10:30 and 10:45 - 11:15, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Developing Your Defense Theory and Case Theme
   2. Simplifying the Theme to Enhance Juror Understanding
   3. Structure - How to Use the Opening Statement as a Road Map for the Jury
   4. Presentation Pointers
      1. Clarity
      2. The Danger in Overstating Your Case
      3. How to Personalize the Client
   5. Use of Exhibits
3. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
   11:15 - 12:00, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Direct and Cross-Examination of Lay Witnesses
   2. Direct and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses
   3. Handling Objections During Direct and Cross-Examination
4. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN CRIMINAL LAW
   1:00 - 2:00, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Avoiding Conflicts in Representation
   2. When You Suspect the Client May be Lying
   3. Duty to the Client vs. Duty to the Court
   4. Witness Contact
5. PRESENTATION OF DEFENSE EVIDENCE
   2:00 - 2:45, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Consistency of Evidence With Theory of Defense
   2. Using Drama Effectively
   3. Organizing the Order of Evidence
   4. Using Demonstrative Evidence
6. DYNAMIC USE OF CLOSING ARGUMENTS
   3:00 - 4:00, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Setting a Clear Goal for Closing
   2. Choosing an Appropriate Tone and Style
   3. Using Graphics to Help the Jury Understand Your Theme
   4. Structuring the Flow
   5. Effective Presentation Tactics
7. CONCLUDING THE TRIAL
   4:00 - 4:30, E. Clarke Dummit, Barbara J. Rynne and Mary Wilson
   1. Jury Instructions
   2. The Verdict

E. CLARKE DUMMIT is the founder of The Dummit Law Firm in Winston-Salem, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal law with a focus on driving while impaired and drug cases. His firm also litigates personal injury, medical malpractice and workers' compensation. The Dummit Law Firm regularly affiliates with other firms to litigate cases in both criminal and civil trials. He is the author of The North Carolina DWI Manual and is the founder of the North Carolina DWI Round Table. Mr. Dummit is a frequent lecturer on various issues relating to criminal law including driving while impaired. He is admitted to practice in North Carolina and Georgia, as well as before federal courts. Mr. Dummit earned his B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University. He has been a member of the Forsyth County and North Carolina bar associations, and the Academy of Trial Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

BARBARA J. RYNNE is an associate with The Dummit Law Firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she specializes in criminal defense litigation. Ms. Rynne has represented criminal defendants charged with, among other things, murder, drug trafficking, robbery, assault and various criminal domestic charges in both District and Superior Court. Prior to joining The Dummit Law Firm, Ms. Rynne spent a total of 10 years as a Prosecutor in Monmouth County, New Jersey and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Ms. Rynne is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association and former member of the National District Attorney's Association (NDAA). She has tried more than 100 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials, as both a Prosecutor and Defense Attorney. While a member of the NDAA, Ms. Rynne was able to hone her skills as a litigator at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. She has frequently taught CLE classes for fellow attorneys and law enforcement officers. Ms. Rynne earned her B.A. degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and her J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey. She is admitted to practice law in the State Courts of North Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and in the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey and the Western District of North Carolina.

MARY WILSON received her B.A. degree from Drake University in 1986 and her J.D. degree from Campbell University in 1997. Prior to law school, she was a youth counselor and DSS social worker. She prosecuted for ten years everything from traffic tickets to murder, primarily focusing on juvenile court, child abuse and sex crimes. She is currently the Juvenile Chief of the Wake County Public Defender's Office. Ms. Wilson has conducted numerous trainings in criminal law and procedure for law enforcement, prosecutors, Department of Social Services, Juvenile Court Counselors and defense attorneys.

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