News and Practice Tips

Pay increase - Congress authorized and provided funds to raise the non-capital hourly panel
attorney compensation rate from $94 to $100, and the maximum hourly capital rate from $166 to
$170 (for federal capital prosecutions and capital post-conviction proceedings).

The Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho are currently taking orders for their “2008 My Little Red Rules Book.” This handy pocket book is designed for quick reference during federal trials and other hearings containing many of the most frequently used Rules in federal court. The books will be ready for distribution in early February 2008. If interested, you can pre-order a book by sending your check for $6.00 made payable to:
Federal Defenders of EWA and ID
10 North Post #700
Spokane, WA 99201

Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Law is hosting a conference on February 22 & 23, 2008 entitled “Inside the 7th Circuit.” This conference is set to examine the workings of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Chief Judge Herndon and Judge Murphy are listed as commentators in the program. Up to six hours of Continuing Legal Education Credit can be awarded. Here is a brochure outlining the program if you are interested.
http://www.law.siu.edu/cle/invite.mht

I. Supreme Court News (updated 04/16/2008)
A. SENTENCING GUIDELINES
B. FIREARMS
C. DRUGS
D.ENEMY COMBATANTS
E. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
F. DEATH PENALTY
G. RIGHT TO COUNSEL
II. Guideline Amendments
A. CRACK AMENDMENTS AND RETROACTIVITY
B. CRIMINAL HISTORY AMENDMENTS
III. Sex Offender Issues
A. SORNA
B. CHALLENGES TO SORNA
IV. Research Starters "Excerpts from defense memos and briefs setting out legal standards on various issues."
A. DRUG OFFENSES: MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR OFFENSE CONDUCT, ONLY
B.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN DRUG CASES
C.CONSPIRACY: RELEVANT CONDUCT AND OFFENSE CONDUCT
D.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASES
E.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN GUN CASES
F. 3553(A) FACTORS
G. STATUTORY INTERPRETATION
H. RULE 404(B) EVIDENCE
I. FOURTH AMENDMENT
J. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
K. EXPERT TESTIMONY, DAUBERT
L. RELIABILITY OF SENTENCING INFORMATION
M. CRAWFORD AND CONFRONTATION CLAUSE

Fall 2007 issue of The Back Bencher.

Office News

Todd Schultz has accepted the open Assistant Federal Public Defender Position. Please welcome him to our staff. He will start January 22, 2008.

Mission Statement:

The Federal Public Defender’s Office strives to provide effective representation as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to ensure the rights of the individual regardless of the ability to retain counsel, and to assist others in this mission. The Office also seeks to provide educational and training opportunities to attorneys appointed pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act to assist them in meeting these same goals.