Special thanks to our Dean of Students and Faculty, respectively, Lydia Clay-Jackson (Conroe) and Tim Evans (Fort Worth), for the 37th Annual Texas Criminal Trial College held in Huntsville. Very special thanks to our 46 faculty members who participated in the College. We had 77 students from all parts of Texas attend the college. A list of the graduates of this year’s College is on page 22 of this issue of the Voice and on our website. We would ask our members to review the list and make it a point to congratulate these lawyers.
We thank the TCDLEI board for paying for the Hostility (Hospitality) Room at the College for the students, faculty, and staff. We thank the Law Firm of Habern, O’Neil and Pawgan, LLP, for sponsoring a Reception at the Stardust Room. We also thank the Dean Yarabeck of the Sam Houston State University for providing us with a great environment for training lawyers. We also thank Ms. Ann Broussard, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, for taking care of us throughout the week of the College. We thank A. K. Khan, General Manager of the University Hotel, for his and his staff’s cooperation as well. We would not be able to put on the College without everyone’s assistance, guidance, and cooperation.
Special thanks to Mimi Coffey (Fort Worth), Troy McKinney (Houston), Doug Murphy (Houston), and Gary Trichter (Bandera), our course directors for the 20th Annual Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI/DWI Cases held in New Orleans. TCDLA does this event as a co-sponsorship with the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD). This year marks the eighth year of this unique working relationship between NCDD and TCDLA.
Troy McKinney is the Dean of NCDD. Special thanks to Rhea Kirk, Executive Director for NCDD, for all of her cooperation in the past year. Thanks to everyone working together we had 197 attendees.
Special thanks to the Honorable Senator Rodney Ellis and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC), who co-sponsored with TCDLA the Texas Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Gideon seminar. The event was held at the Texas Legislature in March. Thanks to Jim Bethke, Executive Director of TIDC, for his guidance and cooperation. Thanks to everyone’s support, we had 74 attendees.
Special thanks to Andrew Kerr, President of the San Antonio Bar, for allowing TCDLA/CDLP to co-sponsor the 50th Annual Criminal Law Institute, in honor of District Judge A. A. Semaan. Our moderators were John Convery and Robert Price. Thanks to everyone’s efforts we had 208 attendees. This is the oldest continuing legal education in the state. TCDLA congratulates the San Antonio Bar for 50 years of dedication to educating the bar.
Thanks to course directors Sarah Roland (Denton) and David Moore (Longview) for the Gideon’s Trumpet held in Longview in April. Thanks to their efforts we had 58 attendees. We also thank David and his wife Pam for hosting a speaker dinner and reception at their home in Longview.
Special thanks to course directors Sarah Roland (Denton) and Stan Schwieger (Waco) for Gideon’s Trumpet in Waco in April. We also thank the McLennan County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association for their support. Thanks to everyone’s help we had 91 attendees.
The 83rd Texas Legislature is drawing to a close on May 27, 2013, unless Governor Perry calls for a special session. Please follow our legislative team on the TCDLA listserve. Please call the Home Office (512-478-2514) if you need to know how to sign up for the TCDLA Legislative listserve.
The 26th Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Course is rapidly approaching. A fun bike ride will be part of the healthy lifestyle options that will be available. Please pre-register at our TCDLA website and make your hotel reservations as early as possible. The deadline for the hotel rooms at the Hyatt Regency, Menger Hotel, and La Quinta is May 14, 2013, or until full, whichever occurs first.
Please help us get the word out on the 17th Annual TCDLA Golf Tournament to be held on Wednesday, June 13, at the beautiful Silverhorn Golf Club course. Prizes are awarded for the top three teams. Registration fee includes lunch at 11:30 am. Shotgun start at 12:00.
The TCDLA Board of Directors invites you to attend the TCDLA Annual Members Meeting on Saturday, June 13, 2013, immediately following the adjournment of the 26th Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Course. This should be approximately at 11:30 am in Ballroom B of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.
Are you interested in forming a local criminal defense bar? Need help getting organized? Please contact Susan Anderson (Dallas) at or Ray Rodriguez (Laredo) at , co-chairs of the TCDLA Affiliate Committee.
Good verdicts to all.
