CLE WEBINAR
Jury Trial Procedures
March 19, 2021
Noon-1:30 p.m.
We are now offering this program at a second time. If this program reaches our zoom capacity of 100, you can also register for the 2:30 p.m. replay:
https://tba26.wildapricot.org/event-4209743
FREE for TBA Members
$10 for Non-Members
FREE for Students & Paralegals
Approved for 1.5 hour of CLE credit in Kansas
Noon p.m. – 1:00 p.m. -
This CLE will explain and discuss new procedures for Shawnee County Jury Trials before they resume in April.
Presented by: TBA Criminal Law Committee
SUBJECT WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION - JUDGE ANDERSON
PLAN FOR THE RESUMPTION OF PETIT JURY TRIALS - JUDGE ANDERSON
IN SHAWNEE COUNTY DISTRIC COURT
Timeline/Deadlines - JUDGE ANDERSON
Low level felony cases – JUDGE DEBENHAM
Higher level and off grid felony cases – JUDGE RIOS
8 PUBLIC INFORMATION ON THE RESUMPTION OF JURY TRIALS - JUDGE OSSMANN
Jury Selection – The voir dire process
Securing a jury pool
Excusing Potential Jurors
Jury Orientation
TRIAL PROTOCOLS - JUDGE EBBERTS
Juror Movement in the Courthouse
Defense Conferences-Interaction between the defendant and counsel during trial
Openings and closings
Questioning witnesses
Exhibits
Sidebars-Bench Conferences
Interpreters - JUDGE GIER
Jury instructions
Jury deliberations
Storage of jurors’ personal items
Juror breaks
HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES - COURT ADMINISTRATOR
PUBLIC ACCESS
COURTROOM SETUP
Microphone and PA system
Physical distancing
PROTECTIVE MEASURES TAKEN FOR JURY TRIALS
Facilities Signage
Cleaning Measures
PPE
Mask protocols
DETAILS OF JURRY SELECTION- JUDGES DEBENHAM AND RIOS
1. Jury Summons
2. Lower level felony case
a. Available spaces for lower grade felony case jury selection and trial
b. Jury selection procedure for lower grade felony cases
c. Staging process to stagger arrival times for potential jurors
3. Upper lever – off grid felony case
a. Stormont Vail Event Center – Agriculture Hall
b. Stormont Vail Event Center – Heritage Hall
c. Number of jurors summoned
d. Summons
e. COVID-19 Precautions at Agriculture Hall
f. Arrival and Entry
g. Jury Coordinator Preparation of Jury Lists
h. Public Seating
i. Bathrooms and Breaks
j. Staging
k. Voir Dire
QUESTIONS AND WRAP UP - JUDGE OSSMANN
Presenter Bios
Judge Richard D. Anderson was appointed to the bench in 1999. Born in Kearney, NE, he graduated from Kearney State College with Bachelor's and Master's degrees and obtained his law degree from Washburn. He practiced law for 18 years in private practice. The judge is a member of the Topeka and Kansas Bar Associations and the Sam A. Crow Inn of Court.
Judge David B. Debenham was appointed to the bench in 2008. A native of Abilene, he is a graduate of Bethany College and Washburn Law School. The judge practiced law for 28 years with governmental agencies. As a prosecuting attorney, he held positions of Deputy Attorney General and Deputy District Attorney. Judge Debenham has three daughters.
Judge Steven R. Ebberts was appointed to the bench in 2011. Born in Garden City, Kansas, he graduated from WU with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and his juris doctorate degree from Washburn Law School in 1993. He was the Municipal Court Administrative Judge and Associate Judge for the City of Topeka for more than 8 years. He has served many years in private, corporate and governmental practice. He is an active member of the Topeka, Kansas and American Bar Associations and is past President of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association. He is married with two children.
Judge Jason E. Geier was appointed to the bench in 2017. A native of Topeka, Judge Geier is a graduate of the University of Kansas and the Washburn University School of Law. Judge Geier engaged in the private practice of law for nine years, served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Shawnee County for seven years, and was the Administrative Municipal Court Judge for the City of Topeka. He is a member of the American, Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations, as well as the Sam A. Crow Inn of Court. He is married with one son.
Judge C. William Ossmann was appointed to the bench in 2012. He served as Chief Litigation Attorney for K-DADS and SRS; Shawnee County prosecutor; and, Special Assistant AG with KS Dept of Agriculture. The Judge has a BS in Math from K-State; JD from WU Law School; and MPA from KU. He was recognized with the KBA’s Distinguished Government Service Award in 2009; was named KS County & DA Association’s prosecutor of the year in 1990; and, is active as a Master in the Sam A. Crow Inn of the American Inns of Court. The Judge teaches for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and is adjunct professor at WU Law School where he has three times been named adjunct of the year.
Judge Cheryl Rios was appointed to the district court bench in 2008. Previously she was Associate Judge for the City of Topeka, Municipal Court. After practicing critical care nursing for 6 years, Judge Rios graduated from Washburn University School of Law in 1993. The judge served as a staff attorney for Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, served as an adjunct professor at Washburn University and is a former Shawnee County Assistant District Attorney.
Judge Rios currently is assigned to do hear felony criminal cases in Shawnee County District Court.
Judge Rios was selected to serve on the Kansas Supreme Court Bench hearing some cases called on the docket in December, 2019. Judge Rios remains an active member of community in Kansas and nationwide. Judge Rios currently serves on the National Association of Women Judges Board of directors, the Kansas District Judges Association Board of Directors, the Kansas Judicial Council (Criminal Law Advisory Board), and Topeka Community Foundation’s Healthy Lifestyle Committee. Judge Rios is a member of the following organizations: NAWJ, HNBA, KBA, TBA, KWAA, KWAAT, MANA de Topeka, and Washburn University Alumni Association.
Judge Rios previously served on the YWCA Board of Directors, Topeka Collegiate School Board of Directors, MANA de Topeka’s Board of Directors, and the Topeka Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.
*You will receive a Zoom link in your registration confirmation email. You will also receive the link in a reminder email the morning of the program.