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NAPD 2026 We The Defenders
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Thursday, October 8
 

9:00am EDT

Social Worker Plenary: Social Work Ethics in Criminal Defense
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
*This session is eligible for NASW CEU Credit

Both social workers and attorneys have ethics to follow related to their own professional practice and discipline, but what happens when those practices and disciplines intersect? How does a social worker's ethical standard comport with an attorney's ethical standard in criminal defense? This session will explore the ethics involved in criminal defense from the view of the social worker and from the attorney. The NASW social worker Code of Ethics and attorney Rules of Professional Conduct will be examined. For social workers, Ethical Responsibilities to Clients, Disputes Involving Colleagues, Consultation, Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings, and core values from the preamble and ethical principles will be discussed. Learners will become knowledgeable of and develop comprehension around the ethical requirement of working as a social worker within a public defense system (working within a different discipline where other codes of ethics exist) and learn about interdisciplinary collaboration as informed by the National Association of Social Workers. Learners will synthesize and learn to implement ethical decision making as part of work in a public defender system. Learners will discuss their approach to ethical decision making in various hypothetical situations. 


 This session will 1) provide an understanding of the intersection of social work and the law – forensic social work – in the criminal defense setting, 2) introduce and analyze the NASW Code of Ethics and guidance from NASW on interdisciplinary collaboration as these apply to interdisciplinary work, 3) provide conceptual understanding of potential ethical dilemmas that may arise in a criminal defense setting, particularly when different codes of ethics are operational in the workplace, and 4) propose strategies for addressing ethical dilemmas through discussion of the current literature, legal opinions, and practice situations.


Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium

9:00am EDT

Communication Challenges Workshop: Connecting through Conflict
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Communicating in relationships can be hard. We've all been in the situation when a call, email, or in-person conversation gets contentious and has the potential to blow up into a confrontation or develop into an ongoing issue. Many of us are hesitant or uncertain when it comes to addressing conflict in relationships.  In this workshop, we will work together through a series of scenarios to discuss ways to more effectively hear one another and acknowledge our feelings and needs in any given situation. Rather than just getting what we want, the goal is to create a connection that leads to compassionate understanding. It is from this place that creative resolution can take place.

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
East Wing Wabash Hall Conference 4, 5

9:00am EDT

Defense In Detail: Why What We Find Changes Everything
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Every case tells a story—but the details determine how that story is told. Defense in Detail highlights the critical role of investigation and mitigation in uncovering facts that shape outcomes, strategies, and lives. This session explores how thorough investigative work goes beyond reports and records—it reveals context, exposes bias, and uncovers truth that can shift the entire trajectory of a case. Participants will gain insight into how even the smallest findings can change everything from plea negotiations to sentencing, and why attention to detail is the foundation of real justice.

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
West Wing Harrison Hall Conference 19

9:00am EDT

Inside The System From Two Different Perspectives
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Inside the System pulls back the curtain on the justice system—taught by someone who’s worked both sides. Everything from arrests to courtroom battles, real insight every future law enforcer or advocate needs.
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
West Wing Harrison Hall Conference 22

10:15am EDT

Effective Advocacy: Using Mitigation Products to Tell a Client’s Story
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
*This session is eligible for NASW CEU Credit

This presentation focuses on the different types of work product that a Mitigation Specialist can provide the defense team and basic information on how to gather information / create these product

Objectives:
  1. Develop an understanding of holistic defense and client centered representation
  2. Advance understanding of mitigation, including ways to gather information, write memorandums, and adding demonstrative aids
  3. Progress understanding of different types of mitigation products and when each is best used
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Auditorium

10:15am EDT

The Seeds of Toby: The Continual Imperative of Holistic Criminal Justice Reform
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
*This session is eligible for NASW CEU Credit

Why is there continued racial disparity within the American criminal justice system? Is it the past war on drugs, a racialized criminal justice system, or historic societal constructs that intentionally embolden this unfortunate and continued reality? This session speaks to the notion of a cultural identity crisis in many who frequent the criminal justice system, and amid the various efforts to correct and change behavior it unpacks the aspect of a cultural identity crisis and it’s proposed critical place to assist in changing the plight of cultural disparities. Adapted from Donavan’s book, The Seeds of Toby, this session will holistically address cultural disparities and illuminate avenues to enhance criminal litigation, investigation, and mitigation.
 
Learning objectives 
Attendees will:
  • Attendees will learn about the common reasons for disparities in the criminal justice system.
  • Attendees will learn about holistic reasons for disparities in the criminal justice system.
  • Attendees will learn about what a cultural identity crisis is and it applies to the American criminal justice system.
  • Attendees will be encouraged to expand a holistic criminal defense litigation, investigation, and mitigation practice through understanding the deeper implications of a cultural identity crisis and how to work on this issue in a strength-based fashion.
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
West Wing Harrison Hall Conference 22

10:15am EDT

Navigating the Transition to Investigator/Paralegal Leadership
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
This class will cover strategies in transitioning from a traditional investigator/paralegal to leading your unit. The techniques will be applicable whether your unit covers a single county or a multi-county district. Topics will cover both state and federal investigator/paralegal leadership challenges and how best to implement these concreate skillsets to create a team environment. Whether your challenge is a growing district or maintaining morale amid challenges, this discussion will grow your investigator/paralegal leadership. The topics will cover the initial challenge we face in our new role to ethical responsibilities, personnel matters, leadership styles, and redefining success in your investigator/paralegal units.
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
West Wing Harrison Hall Conference 19

10:15am EDT

This is Gonna Get Weird: A Course for New and Future Leaders
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
This presentation addresses that team building is a process and any one can initiate that process, but it will take stepping outside of the comfort zone to make it happen. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the “team leader”. This presentation outline tips to make it easier, but it’s still gonna be weird.

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
East Wing Wabash Hall Conference 4, 5

11:30am EDT

Cynthia Roseberry - Plenary
Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Auditorium

12:30pm EDT

Social Worker CEU Request Form
Thursday October 8, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT
If you are a social worker seeking CEU credit and a certificate, please follow this link and complete the CE
Evaluation (linked on the form) and information on the linked form.
Thursday October 8, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT
 
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