NCJ Number
44908
Date Published
1978
Length
46 pages
Annotation
PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS FOR LAWYERS REPRESENTING STATE OFFICIALS IN CIVIL RIGHTS SUITS BROUGHT BY PRISONERS IN FEDERAL COURTS ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
THE REGIONAL SEMINARS WERE HELD BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL DURING 1977 AND WERE ATTENDED BY ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT COUNSEL CONCERNED WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAW WITH REGARD TO THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS. EACH SEMINAR INCLUDED A LITIGATION WORKSHOP ON THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY'S ROLE IN INVESTIGATING INMATE COMPLAINTS, DISCOVERY TECHNIQUES, THE USE OF EXPERT WITNESSES, AND CROSS-EXAMINATION. ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COURT DECREES IN THE CORRECTIONS SETTING WERE ALSO DISCUSSED, AS WERE LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREAS OF PRISONERS' LEGAL STATUS, LAW LIBRARIES AND PRISONERS' RIGHT TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE AND OTHER COMMON LAW TORTS. THE PRESENTATION SUMMARIES COVER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: PRETRIAL TACTICS; TRIAL TACTICS; PROPOSED LEGAL STANDARDS FOR PRISONERS; U.S. SUPREME COURT HOLDING ON ACCESS OF PRISONERS TO THE COURTS; JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVES ON PRISONER CIVIL RIGHTS SUITS; FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN STATE PRISONERS' SUITS; AND ISSUES IN A CIVIL SUIT BROUGHT BY PRETRIAL DETAINEES AT THE FEDERAL METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN NEW YORK. A LIST OF SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS IS INCLUDED. (LM)