April 14, 2011
New Online Science Courses for Judges and Magistrates Now Available
'Judicial eCademy' Program Offers CLE Credit
The Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College new online education site, Judicial eCademy, is now accepting registration for six new national courses for judges and magistrates to study science and technology issues that arise in court proceedings.
The courses are open to all judicial officers in the United States at no cost to participants and have been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for self-study credit. In Ohio, regulations limit attorneys and judges to six hours of CLE credit by self-study; regulations differ in each state.
Non-Ohio interested parties can create a Judicial eCademy account and register for courses at www.judicialecademy.ohio.gov.
The courses, funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, at the U.S. Department of Justice, include:
- DNA Science/Forensic Technologies & Nanoscience (1.5 hours). FBI Examiners Amber Carr and Tina Delgado explain DNA evidence-gathering and testing techniques. Dr. Mark Alper describes nanoscience as an evolving scientific discipline with real-world production applications.
- Genomics (1.5 hours). Dr. Alan Guttmacher reviews the current state of genetics and genomics, as it relates to predisposition and risk.
- Neuroscience Evidence (1.25 hours). Dr. Frank Vocci explains the benefits and shortfalls of various neuroimaging technologies as they relate to neuropsychological testing. He reviews the differences in brain response between the general population and those demonstrating addiction and/or mental illness.
- Addiction Treatment Technologies (1.25 hours substance abuse credit). Dr. Michael L. Dennis reviews issues related to chronic addiction, and uses results of scientific studies to describe the evidence-based practices needed in adjudication of drug- and alcohol-related cases.
- Evidence Admissibility (1.25 hours). Judges Stephanie Domitrovich, Ph.D., and Carla Moore discuss the role of judge as gatekeeper of scientific evidence. Includes a discussion of the Daubert and Frye standards.
- Computer Science & Internet Crime (1 hour). C. Matthew Curtin discusses how Internet detection technologies are used to track files connected to electronic and cyber crime.
Launched this month, the Judicial eCademy is the culmination of more than two years of work and planning to increase training options for local judges and other parties, improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Judicial College Director Milt Nuzum said not only can judicial officers meet some of their CLE requirements by completing the science and technology coursework, but the convenience will be attractive too.
“Judges and magistrates can take courses at home or at the office anytime that’s convenient for them,” he said. “They can stop the course midway if they want to research a little more about a particular aspect and pick up the session later.” He said the typical course takes about 75 minutes to two hours to complete.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.