Raising the Bar – Setting Up the Appeal & Capital Murder Training
The "Raising the Bar – Setting Up the Appeal & Capital Murder Training" is a two-day seminar organized by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA). Scheduled for February 12-13, 2026, in Houston, Texas, this event aims to enhance the skills of criminal defense attorneys through focused sessions on appellate practice and capital murder defense strategies.
The first day, titled "Raising the Bar – Setting Up the Appeal," is dedicated to improving appellate practices. Sessions include discussions on jury charge issues, recent case law updates, petitions for discretionary review, and ethical considerations from a judicial perspective. The agenda also covers Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (TRAP) issues, motions for new trials, and brief writing processes.
The second day, the "9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training," focuses on capital murder defense. Topics encompass trial preparation, understanding firearms, managing extensive evidence, addressing extraneous offenses under Rule 404(b), and strategies for voir dire. Ethical considerations are integrated throughout the sessions, emphasizing effective assistance of trial counsel.
This seminar is ideal for criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, investigators, judges, and mitigators seeking to refine their appellate and capital murder defense skills. Attendees will benefit from expert-led sessions, practical insights, and networking opportunities with peers in the field.
Categories
Speakers(21)
Amy Alexander
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Amy Alexander is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Amy R. Blalock
Attorney at Blalock Law Firm
Amy R. Blalock is an attorney at Blalock Law Firm in Tyler, Texas.
Ana Benavides
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Ana Benavides is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Charles F. Baird
Attorney at Baird Law Firm, PLLC
Charles F. Baird is an attorney at Baird Law Firm, PLLC, located in Austin, Texas.
Curtis E. Barton
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Curtis E. Barton is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Damon Parrish
Damon Parrish is a legal professional who discussed 'Organizing Massive Amounts of Evidence & Dealing with Punishment' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Daniel L. Barnes
Attorney
Daniel L. Barnes is an attorney based in Waxahachie, Texas.
Fernanda Benavides
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Fernanda Benavides is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
George Murphy
George Murphy is a legal professional who presented on 'Voir Dire Strategies' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Hon. Danilo Lacayo
Judge
Hon. Danilo Lacayo is a judge who provided 'Judicial Insights' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Jedrick Burgos
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Jedrick Burgos is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Julia H. Bella
Attorney at The Law Office of Julia Bella, PLLC
Julia H. Bella is an attorney at The Law Office of Julia Bella, PLLC, located in Richmond, Texas.
Katy Boatman
Attorney
Katy Boatman is an attorney based in Houston, Texas.
Mark Hochglaube
Mark Hochglaube is a legal professional who presented on 'Ethics' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Mark W. Bennett
Attorney at Institute for Advanced Criminal Law Studies
Mark W. Bennett is an attorney affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Criminal Law Studies in Houston, Texas.
Murray Newman
Murray Newman is a legal professional who presented on 'Trial Preparation in Capital Cases' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Porscha Brown
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Porscha Brown is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Ronnisha K. Bowman
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Ronnisha K. Bowman is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Sophie Bossart
Attorney at Harris County Public Defender's Office
Sophie Bossart is an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office in Houston, Texas.
Stephen Aslett
Attorney at The Aslett Law Firm, PLLC
Stephen Aslett is an attorney at The Aslett Law Firm, PLLC, based in Houston, Texas.
Wes Rucker
Wes Rucker is a legal professional who discussed 'Self-Defense in a Capital Murder Context' at the 9th Annual Harris County Capital Murder Training.
Event Details
- Date
- February 12-13, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Houston, United States
- Cambria Hotel Houston Downtown
- Pricing
- $40 - $80
- Audience
- Criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, investigators, judges, mitigators
- CLE Credits
- 14.25 CLE hours including 3.0 ethics