We are excited to announce “Firearms 101,” the third program in our Evenings at the School of Government series. This series, cosponsored by the UNC School of Government and NC Office of Indigent Defense Services, consists of free presentations on forensic evidence and other criminal law topics that are designed to enhance the knowledge of criminal law practitioners. Available for CLE credit, these programs will occur after business hours at the School of Government in Chapel Hill. A social hour at a local venue will follow each presentation so that participants may continue their discussions with the speakers.
At this program, veteran defense attorney David Waters and private investigator Michael Grissom will instruct participants on firearm mechanics and functionality, projectile trajectory, and basic information about the firearm/toolmark comparison. Using examples and images from their own cases, they will describe common issues related to forensic firearm analysis, and how defense counsel can address these through motions practice and cross-examination. They will also discuss raising challenges to a witness’s qualification as an expert and the merits of hiring a private firearms expert in a particular case.
Participants: This program is geared toward attorneys who may confront issues regarding firearms in their cases.
Location, Dates, & Times: The program will be held on Thursday, August 22 at the School of Government on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Sign-in is from 5:15pm to 5:30pm, at which time the program will begin. The 1.50 hour program ends at 7:00pm. Following the presentation, we welcome you to join the presenters for an informal happy hour at W XYZ bar, located in the lobby of the Aloft Hotel on Highway 54 in Chapel Hill. Directions to the Aloft Hotel can be found here.
RSVP: Registration is not required, but we ask that you RSVP via email by August 15 to Brooke Bailey, at bailey@sog.unc.edu.
Fee: Free. (Because no registration fee will be charged by the School of Government, each lawyer is responsible for paying the NC State Bar for earned CLE credits at $3.00 per hour.)
CLE Credit & Certification: This program offers 1.5 hours of general CLE credit and qualifies for NC State Bar criminal law specialization credit.
Materials: Materials for this program are forthcoming and will be available under the Course Materials category on the program website (http://www.sog.unc.edu/node/3666). Those who RSVP for this event will receive a confirmation email on August 19 with a link to the program materials. Please note that the materials will not be provided in hard-copy form at the program. We strongly recommend that you either bring a laptop and access the materials electronically or print and bring them with you to the program.
Directions and Parking: Directions to the School of Government may be found on our website’s visitor information page. Parking will be available in the lot adjacent to the School of Government. You will not need a parking code to enter the lot or a parking pass. (The gate opens at 5:00pm.) You will enter the building via the side entrance by the parking lot.
Additional Information: We look forward to seeing you next month. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Brooke Bailey (919.966.4227 / bailey@sog.unc.edu) or Defender Educator Alyson Grine (agrine@sog.unc.edu / 919.966.4248).