Oklahoma Capital Case Training and Assistance Program

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 Oklahoma Indigent Defense (OID) will utilize the FY 2009 CCLI grant award to conduct CCLI trainings for both prosecutors and defense attorneys in the State of Oklahoma. The proposed project contemplates a series of two separate training seminars for capital defense lawyers, two separate training seminars for prosecutors, and one joint seminar targeting both groups. The proposed trainings will include curricula developed by the CCLI partners, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National District Attorneys Association. The curricula will be further refined and expanded by the utilization of two separate curriculum committees - one chaired by the OID executive director or designee and the other chaired by the Oklahoma District Attorney Council executive coordinator or designee.

Individuals served will be defense attorneys and prosecutors already experienced in litigating capital cases but wishing to further refine their skills, and defense lawyers and prosecutors who either have limited or no experience but demonstrate a desire to engage in capital litigation. Defense attorneys and prosecutors from all regions of Oklahoma are expected to participate. Trainings are expected to be conducted in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the Tulsa metropolitan area, and other Oklahoma locations.

Grant funds will cover in-state travel expenses, conference related expenses (materials, supplies, resource books, brochures, advertising, etc.), and consultant fees (training coordination and speakers).

CA/NCF