Fourth Annual Forensic Science Summit for the Criminal Defense Bar
presented by
NJ Institute of Technology, ACDL-NJ & NJ Office of the Public Defender
March 26-27, 2024
Zoom Webinar hosted by US Legal
presented by
NJ Institute of Technology, ACDL-NJ & NJ Office of the Public Defender
March 26-27, 2024
Zoom Webinar hosted by US Legal
Register online here
Tuesday, March 26
Opening Remarks -- Jennifer N. Sellitti, New Jersey Public Defender
Keynote Address: How the Courts Have Failed to Guard Against Junk Forensics
Radley Balko
Putting the Brain on Trial: Cognitive Bias in Forensic and Medicolegal Decisions
Jeff Kukucka, Associate Professor of Psychology, Towson University
Solving Cases with Microscopy
Brooke W. Kammrath, Executive Director, Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science, New Haven University
Video Evidence: Enhancement or Alteration?
Brian Cummings, Consultant, CrimLawTech
Flash Talk: Big Updates in Forensic Case Law
Tamar Lerer, Forensic Practice Lead, NJ Office of the Public Defender
Wednesday, March 27
Forensic Science Standards and You: An Introduction to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees
Dana Delger, Consultant, Nat’l Institute of Standards & Technology
STRmix Software for Analysis of DNA - What to Look for in Case Review
Heather Coyle, Ph.D., Consultant, Identacode Consulting
Decoding Justice: The Impact of Algorithms on Criminal Evidence and Ethics
Sonia Gipson-Rankin, Prof. of Law, Univ. of New Mexico Law School
Measure Twice and Object Once: Understanding Flaws With Enhanced Location Records
John Ellis, Consultant
Presentation of the John Douard Award
Full Program and Schedule here
The ACDL-NJ's History and Mission
The Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ) was established in 1985 and has since become the primary organized voice for the criminal defense bar in New Jersey. The ACDL-NJ was formed, among other reasons, to respond to the continuing problems confronting criminal defense lawyers when they honestly, ethically, but zealously represent their clients; to protect and insure compliance with those individual rights guaranteed by the New Jersey and United States Constitutions; and to encourage cooperation among criminal defense lawyers engaged in the furtherance of those objectives. The criminal defense lawyer has a difficult job, which is poorly understood by the public and, on occasion, even by the courts. The ACDL-NJ's message to criminal defense lawyers has always been, and will continue to be: in your efforts to insure the basic rights and liberties of all people, you are not alone.
Message from the President
The Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey is an active, engaged group of more than 500 members across New Jersey, assisting each other to become effective advocates on behalf of criminal defendants, especially in difficult situations. The ACDL-NJ continues to make its voice heard in the New Jersey appellate courts as amicus curiae on behalf of the interests of the criminal defense bar and its clients in important matters. Our Lawyers Assistance Committee has successfully advocated on behalf of ACDL members in state and federal court, and our Legislation Committee has continued to monitor and weigh in on pending legislation affecting criminal defendants. The ACDL-NJ listserv enables members to reach out to our entire membership and pick the brains of the finest criminal defense lawyers in this State. In sum, there has never been a better time to become a member of the ACDL-NJ. If you are already a member and have suggestions about how to make the ACDL-NJ more useful to its members, please let us know.
- Matthew S. Adams, ACDL-NJ President
Take a journey to the past with ACDL-NJ President Matthew S. Adams and Joe Hayden, founder and first president, as they take a look back at the criminal justice emergency that spurred the formation of the organization nearly 40 years ago: