September 30th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 1:

PRESENTERS:

DA PATSY AUSTIN-GATSON & CHIEF ADA JOHN MELVIN

Welcome:  The Role of the District Attorney and Challenges

Specialized Areas of Prosecution:

• Victim Witness
• Special Victims Unit (SVU)
• Drug & Gang Task Force (DGTF)
• Juvenile Prosecution

The Numbers

• Overview of Gwinnett County Superior Court
• Open and Closed Cases
• Trials per week

October 7th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Week 2:

PRESENTER:
CHIEF ADA JOHN MELVIN

An Introduction to The American Legal System

• Enforcement Agencies:
• Federal v State
• FBI/GBI
• GCPD/Sheriff
• GA Port Authority and others

• The Court Systems
  • Federal v State
  • Superior v State v Magistrate
  • Attorney General/ State Attorney General/ District Attorney/Solicitor

October 14th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 3:

PRESENTER:

CHIEF ADA JOHN MELVIN

The Process

• Arrest/Arraignment/Trial/Appeal

The Constitution – You have rights!

• 4th Amendment – search and seizure
• 5th Amendment – indictment; grand jury; double jeopardy; due process
• 6th Amendment - speedy trial; jury trial; confrontation
• 8th Amendment – cruel and unusual punishment
• 14th Amendment – Equal justice (for defendants AND victims)

October 21st

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 4:

FIELD TRIP

CSI Today—On Scene Investigations, Crime Lab Analysis

Gwinnett County Police Department Headquarters:

770 Hi Hope Rd Lawrenceville, GA 30043

October 28th

Week 5:

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

PRESENTER:

CHIEF ADA JOHN MELVIN & EXECUTIVE ADA MIKE CARLSON

Evidence Law – The Rules Lawyers abide by in court

Ethical Considerations – Prosecutors & Defense Attorneys

Elder Abuse Awareness

November 4th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 6:

PRESENTERS:

DEPUTY CHIEF ADA WANDA

VANCE & CHIEF ADA JOHN WILLIAMS & ADA MEGAN METTEUCCI

Anatomy of a Criminal Case: With Special Victims Unit

“The Big Picture”

November 11^th

November 18th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 7:

PRESENTERS:

CHIEF ASSISTANT INV. ANDY RODRIGUEZ & CHRIS FORD/ DA PATSY AUSTIN-GATSON

 “Can We Talk?” – Understanding Use of Force and Jury Nullifications

November 25th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 8:

PRESENTER:

INV. JOHN WILBANKS

Understanding Criminal Networks: An In-Depth Look at Gangs and Drugs

December 2nd

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Week 9:

FIELD TRIP

Gwinnett County Corrections Department— Corrections Tour
750 Hi Hope Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

December 9th

6:00 pm