Immigration Enforcement, Youth Trafficking Among Criminal Justice Topics Explored at American Bar Association Meeting in Chicago

CHICAGO, July 23, 2012 — Immigration enforcement, youth trafficking and changes to the law on eyewitness identification are chief among criminal justice issues that will be explored at the 2012 American Bar Association Annual Meeting Aug. 2 – 7, in Chicago.

With more than 1,400 dynamic presentations and events featuring high-profile law experts, the ABA Annual Meeting is the nation’s premier gathering of legal professionals. Renowned speakers include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (“Arias of Law: The Rule of Law at Work in the Performance Arts” and “Comparative Constitutional Law: North America and Middle East,” Aug. 3); Lindsey Graham, U.S. senator (keynote address at the ABA Opening Assembly, Aug. 4); Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, co-chairs of the ABA Task Force on Preservation of the Justice System (“Saving Our Underfunded Courts: Is Anybody Listening?” Aug. 4,); and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., president, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, (“New Voter Registration Laws: Fighting Voter Fraud or Suppressing the Vote?” Aug. 5).

The 560-member House of Delegates will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 6 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 7 in the Hyatt Regency Chicago East Tower (Gold Level, Grand Ballroom) to consider policy recommendations and vote on resolutions. During the two-day session, Morris Dees, co-founder and chief trial attorney of the Southern Poverty Law Center, will receive the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor.

Among resolutions related to criminal justice, the House will consider measures that promote adoption of civil immigration detention standards (102); encourage governments to review child sexual abuse statutes to determine whether extending the statute of limitations is warranted (107A); urge prosecutors to fulfill their traditional prosecutorial functions by using a broad spectrum of strategies (107B); urge defender organizations and criminal defense lawyers to address clients’ interrelated criminal, civil and nonlegal problems, and promote funding for these purposes (107C); recommend amendments to congressional legislation to permit a federal district court to review restrictions in cases where the defendant has alleged that he or she received ineffective assistance and has been sentenced to death (107D]). The House will also consider amending ABA policy from 2008 on ethnic and racial profiling to include religious affiliation (116).

Criminal justice programs include:

Thu., Aug. 2

“Nuremberg Revisited: It’s Lessons for Today” — Experts will examine views on international criminal justice and challenges facing the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, but not over crimes of aggression.

10:30 a.m. – noon, Hyatt West Tower, Gold Level, Regency Ballroom D

“Essentials of Immigration and Criminal Law Plus a Dialogue on Immigration Policy: Domestically and Internationally” — Several panels of experts will discuss the state of immigration enforcement domestically and internationally, including an examination of Arizona law, its anticipated impact and what other nations are doing to reform immigration laws. Panelists will also explore the charging and plea offer decisions prosecutors make, the role defense lawyers play and special considerations when accepting pretrial diversion programs.

2 – 5 p.m., Law Offices of Sara E. Dill, 9th Floor, 35 E. Wacker Drive

“Cost of Wrongful Conviction” — With limited resources, many municipalities are reviewing cost recovery and expense-reduction measures, including examining wrongful convictions. One analysis of 85 wrongful conviction cases determined that the cases cost taxpayers $214 million.  Experts will assess the causes, quantify the actual financial and human costs, and discuss what reforms can limit or prevent future injustices.

5:30 – 7 p.m., DePaul University College of Law, Room 241, 25 E. Jackson

Fri., Aug. 3

“The Intimidated Witness: Ensuring that Witnesses Participate in the Criminal Justice System” — Panelists will explore how social media and email influence witness participation in trials, the barriers witnesses consider when deciding whether to participate, and legislation that affects victims’ rights.

8 – 10 a.m., InterContinental, 8^th Floor, Holabird Room

“Human Trafficking — Modern Day Slavery on a Global Scale” — The second-largest criminal industry in the world, human trafficking affects every country and economic sector, from brothels to sweatshops, and farms to private homes, where domestic workers toil in forced labor. The program will feature Luis CdeBaca, director of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and ABA President-Elect Laurel Bellows.

10:30 a.m. – noon, Hyatt West Tower, Gold Level, Regency Ballroom D

“White Collar Committee Town Hall: Post Dodd-Frank the Rise and Focus of Commodities Enforcement, Featuring MF Global” — Through examining the rise and fall of MF Global, panelists will explore the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on the world of commodities enforcement. They will also discuss the role of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Justice Department in commodities enforcement.

3 – 5 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Gold Level, Atlanta

“Youth Sex Trafficking Victims: First Response and After” — Experts will provide first responders and others with tools to efficiently identify victims as well as cover best practices in prevention, identification and provision of services to victims of human trafficking. The role of prosecutors, defense lawyers and judges in securing comprehensive services, preparing and protecting a victim’s witnesses, and avoiding re-victimization will be discussed.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Intercontinental, 8^th Floor, Wright Room

“Our Nation’s Criminal Justice and Veteran’s Court Systems: A Public Health Policy Approach” — Former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Tom McLellan, CEO of Treatment Research Institute, will address our nation’s approach to dealing with behavioral manifestations of biological, psychological and physiological conditions. They will also examine cost savings associated with this approach and look at how veterans suffering from mental-health disorders and substance use are handled.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Hyatt East Tower, Lobby Level, Plaza Ballroom A

“Annual Survey of Supreme Court Decisions — Criminal Cases” — Experts will discuss constitutional cases, evidentiary issues and habeas cases that came before the Supreme Court during the 2011 – 12 term.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Bronze Level, Columbian, Bronze Level

Sat., Aug. 4

“Sex, Drugs and Taxes” – At the end of 2010, state and local government Stimulus Act funds were discontinued. Panelists—including Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto—will explore the pros and cons of state and local government regulation of activities beyond tobacco, alcohol and gambling to fund government.
8:30 a.m. – Noon, Hyatt East Tower, Lobby Level, Plaza Ballroom A

“Healthcare Fraud Update 2012” — During this program, panelists will address developments in heath care fraud law, including the responsible corporate officer doctrine and sentencing guideline issues. Representatives from the Department of Justice will discuss the efforts of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which investigates and prosecutes fraudulent Medicare billing  and provide an overview of significant prosecutions and False Claims Act settlements.

2 – 3:30 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Bronze Level, Picasso, Bronze Level

“Forum on Native American II: Addressing the Oliphant in the Room” — Panelists will discuss the SAVE Native Women Act, which allows Indian women to be protected under the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill. In addition, tribal court funding, Tribal Law and Order Act implementation issues and updates on Indian law will be explored.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Bronze Level, Wrigley, Bronze Level

“Eyewitness Identification: A Radically Changing Landscape” — The last year has seen changes in the law of eyewitness identifications — the leading contributing cause of wrongful convictions. The Supreme Court has held that suggestive identifications that are not intentionally orchestrated by the state do not receive the protections of the Due Process Clause. Several state legislatures have also passed laws on eyewitness identifications. A discussion will center on these developments and the future of eyewitness identification law and policy.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Bronze Level, Haymarket

Sun., Aug. 5

“Cross Cultural Communication: Adversaries Working to Improve Racial Justice” — Panelists will discuss an innovative approach to combating racial disparity in the justice system, provide a road map for other jurisdictions to follow in instituting similar collaborations and explore ways to promote bias-free decision-making. Issues of diversion, DUI-misdemeanor sentencing, pretrial detention and release, and probation revocation will be discussed.

8:30 –10 a.m., Hyatt West Tower, Bronze Level, Picasso

“CSI and Beyond: Forensic Science Challenges and Cutting Edge Issues” — Panelists will explore the continuing fallout from the National Academy of Sciences report critiquing forensic science, the existence of any CSI effect, fingerprint examination, familial DNA-searching policy and privacy issues. They will also discuss recent and proposed ABA resolutions focusing on forensic science.

10:30 a.m. – noon, Hyatt West Tower, Gold Level, Regency Ballroom C

“New Voter Registration Laws: Fighting Voter Fraud or Suppressing the Vote?” — A panel will discuss experiences involving voter fraud and registration. Experts will review the full range of new laws aimed at the registration process, voter identification and proof of citizenship, residency restriction limits on early and weekend voting, as well as proposed changes to the Electoral College.

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hyatt West Tower, Gold Level, Regency Ballroom B

“Immigration, Race and Incarceration in the United States” — A 2011 report found that although Hispanics make up 16 percent of the population, they account for more than 35 percent of all individuals sentenced. What are the immigration policy decisions that led to this level of incarceration? What are the costs to the system?
2 – 3:30 p.m., Hyatt Chicago West Tower, Bronze Level, Comiskey

Reporters may pick up their press badges at the meeting registration area at Riverside Center of the Hyatt Regency Chicago (East Tower, Purple Level). During the Annual Meeting, a press room for accredited journalists will be open in the same area, starting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 2. Thereafter the press room will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will close one hour after the  House of Delegates adjourns on Aug. 7.

Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at http://www.abanow.org/reporter-resources/media-credentials/.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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