For Immediate Release
Contact: Public Relations 404-969-4001

Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Gwinnett County Prosecutor Trains New Generation

The Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) presented its annual Basic Litigation Training Course from June 23-29, 2007 in Forsyth, Georgia at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC). Fifty-three newly hired prosecutors from across the state participated in an intensive six-day seminar. The course is devoted to in-depth lecture sessions as well as workshops that give prosecutors with little or no courtroom experience an opportunity to hone their skills.

Lisa A. Jones, Supervising Assistant District Attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, was selected as a Faculty Team Leader for the training.

“I always wanted to be a prosecutor and be in court trying cases,” said Jones. “I have taught at Basic Litigation Training for several years and enjoy helping new prosecutors learn how to develop their skills; and, hopefully, I encourage them to stay in the field.”

For two years now, Jones has worked as a Supervising Assistant DA in the office of Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter. She has been with that office as an Assistant District Attorney for a total of five years and a prosecutor for over 13 years. Jones graduated from the University of Kansas in 1990 and from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1993.

Faculty members use their experiences to assist with training and educating new prosecutors by placing a significant emphasis on the development of “Theory” and “Theme” based prosecution. And, with a faculty to student ratio of nearly 1-to-1, the Basic Litigation Course conducted in Georgia continues to be one of the most effective courses of its kind.

During the week-long training, instructors emphasized legal subjects such as: opening statements, direct examination , introduction of evidence, use of demonstrative aids, cross examination and impeachment, hearsay, motions, similar transactions and character evidence, expert witness, and closing arguments. The course culminated in a mock trial conducted in front of a volunteer jury.

“Students learn the practical aspects of trying a case, start to finish,” said Jones. “We (instructors) critique their performances and actually teach them how to do the practical requirements such as entering evidence, and direct and cross-examination. We had a great group of students this year. I hope they will become career prosecutors.”

Part of Jones’ job as an instructor is to recognize each student’s strengths and weaknesses. “ They all had good courtroom presence, which is not always the case. They struggled a bit with basic procedure, but they’re new and that is to be expected. By the end of the week, they improved greatly. They took seriously the constructive criticism and put it into play to improve their performances.”

“Prosecutors need the opportunity to work together in a setting like Basic Litigation Training where they can learn from their peers in a mock trial setting. We are all on the same team, so it is great to get new ideas on how to do things and to build a network of friends who can help you on a moment’s notice when you need them,” said Jones.

The Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia presents its Basic Litigation Training Course to new prosecutors every June.