On Demand CLE!

Did you know that KACDL has On Demand CLE content available anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection?  Let us help you meet your yearly requirement.  Current On Demand offerings include topics like DUI, Restorative Justice in Juvenile Courts, Juvenile Defense, Ethic, Expungement and 4th Amendment Law and offer KBA approved CLE credits from 1 hour up to 7.5.  View the full library of On Demand CLE content here.

 

OPPORTUNITY - A+E Networks Documentary Series Accused: Guilty of Innocent?

We've been contacted about an opportunity to participate in the  'Accused: Guilty or Innocent?' documentary series from A+E Networks.  The series follows criminal defense attorneys and their clients accused of serious crimes. Shadowing the process of the defense to its conclusion at trial, the series gives audiences a unique opportunity to understand the pressures and priorities of a criminal charge. Season Two aired this summer on A+E.
 
A+E is currently looking for cases that could feature on the third season of 'Accused,' specifically cases that meet the below criteria:

• Felony level cases at the State Court (they can’t film in Federal Court).
• Defendant needs to have made bond, or likely to make bond prior to trial.
• Defendant needs to be adamant they want to fight the accusation all the way to trial and is not likely to take a plea.  
• Defendant should not have an extensive criminal record, particularly for a similar accusation.  
• Trial either has a date set or is likely to go to trial within the next 6 months. 

If interested, please reach out to:

Joanna Suchomska - Brinkworth Productions (Joanna.Suchomska@Brinkworth.tv)
 

Racial Disparities in Kentucky's Criminal Justice System and the Pursuit of Solutions

On January 19th, KACDL and the NAACP of Kentucky collaborated with leaders in the Kentucky General Assembly on a forum to share their thoughts about how the legislature can respond to current, critical, racial injustices that call for redress in the Commonwealth. We invite all stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including NAACP and KACDL membership, justice impacted persons, civil rights leaders, prosecutors, judges, legislators and coalitions dedicated to criminal justice reform (SOC, KFTC, League of Women Voters, ACLU, KCEP, KY Council of Churches, KY Catholic Conference) to view a recording of this event in which panelists looked at key points in the processing and prosecution of criminal cases where the impact of discretion intersects with racial bias to result in injustice. To view the recording, click here.

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Marsy's Law

KACDL is disappointed in the outcome of the vote but we honor the process and remain proud that our work in 2018 required voters to be presented with the text of the amendment instead of a misleading question. KACDL still strongly advises that this constitutional amendment comes with convoluted consequences and will not be an adequate answer to problems victims face. KACDL’s grave concerns about this amendment’s potential impact on Kentucky’s justice system remain. 

On January 13th of this year, we held a CLE webinar exploring how to defend your client in the face of the new constitutional amendment that arguably elevates the rights of victims to a status equal to or perhaps greater than the constitutional rights of your clients. This new amendment demands our attention as it threatens our right to discovery (including exculpatory evidence), may restrain our ability to investigate our client’s case, may undermine our vigorous motions-in-limine and could constrain the kind of penetrating cross-examinations demanded to protect our client’s right to zealous legal representation. The webinar put on by three experienced litigators will help you think through how to protect your client from the prosecutor’s charging decision and bail through final sentencing and parole board review. Litigating tips, motion practice examples and opportunities for brainstorming will be the bedrock of this training experience. To register for an on demand presentation of this timely webinar that qualifies for 2.0 hours of CLE including 1.25 hours of Ethics, click here.

 

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2022 KACDL President:

Rachael O'Hearen graduated Cum Laude from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase Law School in 2011. Since opening her solo practice in 2012 she has focused on representing clients in the areas of Domestic Relations and Criminal Defense. She currently serves as a Board Member for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is the Chair of the organization's DUI Committee. In 2017 Rachael received the Public Advocate Award from the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy for her work as a Conflict Trial Attorney and in 2020 was selected as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine for her work as a family law practitioner. Rachael is a lifelong resident of Northern Kentucky and lives in the Wallace Woods neighborhood of Covington, Kentucky. She enjoys all things outdoors and when not at the office, can most often be found running or hiking nature trails with her dog, Jon, while listening to true crime podcasts. 


You may reach Rachael at president@kacdl.net.