Wisconsin DOJ Trains State Prosecutors in Trial Advocacy

Issues in Opening Statements, Case Analysis, Witness Interactions, Ethical Considerations, Use of Physical Evidence, and Jury Selection Among Topics to be Addressed

APPLETON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will host another of the Wisconsin Department of Justices Statewide Prosecutor Education and Training (SPET) Programs from June 15th through the 18th in Appleton. The specialized training provides prosecutors and law enforcement officers from around the state with the latest knowledge and skills necessary to effectively and aggressively investigate and prosecute the various types of complex cases they face on a daily basis.

"My commitment and assistance to district attorneys goes beyond the courtroom to include the classroom, said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "This specialized training provides prosecutors new and better tools with which to fight crime and better serve their communities.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Opening Statements
• Case Analysis
• Direct Examination of Witnesses
• Cross Examination of Witnesses
• Trial Related Ethical Consideration
• Exhibits, Demonstrative Aids, Refreshing Witness Recollection and Recording Past Witness Recollection
• The View from the Bench
• Jury Selection
• Meeting and Defeating Defenses and Motions in Limine
• Use of Evidence
• Closing Arguments
• Evaluations and Closing Arguments

"Assisting Wisconsins prosecutors is a constant theme in the Departments work and my commitment to public safety and crime fighting, said Van Hollen. "We do best what we do together. Prosecutors commitment to learn and the Departments determination to help is a good combination.

The training will take place from June 15-17 in Appleton.

The agenda for the training session is available at