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Public Defense Training Academy

 


 

Mission Statement

The Mission of the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Public Defense Training Academy is to ensure that a competent defense along with a support system of services are provided for those accused of crimes and unable to afford legal counsel.

Vision Statement

To become the foundation of criminal defense training across the United States.

About Us

The changing nature of public defense continues to evolve, adapt, and develop. Therefore, Louisiana is making the effort to improve its justice system. On May 31, 2022, Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law Senate Bill 206 which calls for the Louisiana Public Defender Board (LPDB) to contract with the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) to develop, produce, and train public defenders across the state.

ULM will be required to consult with the legal experts and by using their specific skills and interest in public defense, they will ‘fill-in’ the gaps for between clients and their respective lawyers by hosting training sessions.

ULM along with the State of Louisiana have chosen to focus on five broad categories for these trainings:

 

PDTA Schedule

 

Training Session Date Time
Crime Scene  Investigation (ULM)  February 6, 2025 

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Crime Scene  Investigation (ULM) 

February 13, 2025 

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Criminal Law II  (Zoom)

February 14, 2025 

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Murder 101(Harahan)

February 19, 2025 

12:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Crime Scene  (ULM)   

February 20, 2025 

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Impeachment: Prior Inconsistent statement,
4th Amendment Search & Seizure (Shreveport)

February 21, 2025 

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Unlocking Federal Funding: A Workshop for Justice Agencies (ULM)

February 21, 2025

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Crime Scene  (ULM)

March 6, 2025

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Crime Scene  (ULM)

March 13, 2025

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Contact: Office of Innovation and Research | Sandel Hall | 318-342-1410

 

Hanser, Robert

Principal Investigator

Strauss Hall 216

(318) 342-1443

hanser@ulm.edu

 

Slavich, Caitlin

Project Manager

Sandel 308

(318) 342-1410

slavichca@warhawks.ulm.edu

 

Noel, Bob

Lead Counsel

 

 

 

 

Sutherlin, John

Compliance Officer

Sandel 308

(318) 342-1413

sutherlin@ulm.edu

 

Harris, Courtney

Public Administration

Strauss Hall

coharris@ulm.edu

 

Hersey, Leigh

Public Administration

Strauss Hall 166

(318) 342-1332

hersey@ulm.edu

 

Horne, Anissa

Social Work

Strauss Hall 229

(318) 342-1129

horne@ulm.edu

 

Thameling, Carl

Communications

Walker 2-125

(318) 342-3184

thameling@ulm.edu

 

 

 

 


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