Introduction to Juvenile Transfer Hearings  and Franklin Hearings for Evaluators and Attorneys

- Long Beach -

Presenters & Panelists
Laura Arnold, JD
Amy Ashvanian, JD
Christopher Hawkins, JD
              Carolyn Murphy, PhD              
Norbert Ralph, PhD, MPH  
Marisa Sacks, JD 

REGISTRATION IS NOW FULL.  PLEASE CONTACT MORGAN@FMHAC.NET REGARDING AVAILABILITY.

There is a wave of hearings occurring in California courts as a result of the passing of Proposition 57 and the case of People v. Franklin, both occurring in 2016.  

Prop 57 eliminates the authority of prosecutors to directly file petitions in criminal (i.e., adult) court and requires that the juvenile court hold a hearing and determine to if a transfer to criminal court is appropriate. 

Per the Franklin ruling, individuals who were under 23 years old when they committed a crime for which the punishment may be life in prison must be afforded adequate opportunity to make a record of mitigating evidence tied to their youth, such as cognitive ability, character, and social and family background. Such information may include evaluations and testimony and will be relevant in their eventual youth offender parole hearings, at which point any subsequent growth and increased maturity shall also be considered. The right to have a record of this information applies to current cases, as well as those previously adjudicated. 

Evaluators are being asked to weigh in on the above matters and provide psychological profiles to the Court, but where to begin? What legal questions must be answered? What do judges and attorneys need to know? Which assessment methods yield the most relevant information? How can attorneys ensure that their evaluators address the heart of the issue?  

This training will include presentations on the neurodevelopmental foundation of moral and prosocial development during adolescence, the legal background of Franklin and transfer hearings, and the perspectives of defense and prosecuting attorneys regarding the necessary elements of evaluations for these hearings.  The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion, giving attendees ample time to ask questions.

It is estimated that thousands of these hearings will take place in the coming year. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be ahead of the curve!

Continuing Education
6 units for professional licenses: BBS, BRN, CPA and MCLE
CE Statements: FMHAC is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. FMHAC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Provider #FOR005.
Course meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences through the California Psychological Association.
State Bar of California MCLE Provider #15388.

Learning Objectives can be found here.