2009 Capital Case Litigation Initiative

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

The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety (KJPS) Cabinet will utilize the FY 2009 CCLI grant award to provide capital case litigation training to both prosecutors and defense attorneys in the State of Kentucky.

The KJPS Grants Management Branch will administer the project. The Prosecutor's Advisory Council (Office of the Attorney General) and Department of Public Advocacy will oversee, direct, and coordinate the training of capital prosecutors and capital defense practitioners. Prosecution will receive two, three-day sessions; defense attorneys will receive one, five-day training session.

Project goals include: 1) expand the availability of quality training in capital prosecutions and capital defense representation; 2) expand the number of qualified prosecutors and capital defense practitioners with training and experience in capital prosecutions and capital defense representation; 3) build long-term training opportunities for prosecutors and capital defense practitioners on an on-going basis and through enhanced train-the-trainer programs; and 4) meet training requirements of the ABA Guidelines on the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases. Grant funds will cover fiscal agent administrative expenses, conference and training related equipment and supplies, and consultant and contractual costs for training delivery.

CA/NCF