When:

Friday, September 27th, 2024 from 12:30pm - 2:00pm ET. 

Join NMS Labs for “Navigating Testimonial Hearsay: Key Insights from Smith v. Arizona for Legal and Forensic Experts,” an informative online session about the Smith v. Arizona Supreme Court ruling and its impact on forensic laboratories. This ruling impacts the right to confront witnesses in criminal matters, but the weight of the impact is still to be determined.

During the event, MJ Menendez, Esq, and Donna Papsun, MS, D-ABFT-FT, will translate the Smith v. Arizona decision and how it applies to forensic testing. In addition, they will review the proposed framework of linking steps in the testing process to quality practices, accreditation, and licensing standards, a process desired to satisfy the “primary purpose” condition. This is a must-attend for forensic stakeholders seeking to stay informed on evolving law related to forensic testing.

Detailed Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about the impact of the Smith v. Arizona Supreme Court ruling on forensic laboratories

2. Learn how the Smith v. Arizona Supreme Court ruling impacts the right to confront witnesses in criminal matters

3. Learn a proposed framework for linking steps in the testing process to quality practices, accreditation, and licensing standards, a process desired to satisfy the “primary purpose” condition of the Smith v. Arizona Supreme Court ruling

PRESENTERS

Donna Papsun, MS, D-ABFT-FT

Donna Papsun is a board-certified forensic toxicologist working at NMS Labs where she oversees an NPS Strategy Team dedicated to combatting the emerges and impacts of NPS. Ms. Papsun is also a Fellow at the CFSRE. Ms. Papsun obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University and her Master of Science degree in pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson University.

M.J. Menendez, JD

A courtroom attorney by training and practice, M.J. has been litigating in federal and state courts for twenty-six years. For the past five years, M.J. served on detail in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) in Washington, D.C., where she was the Fentanyl and Heroin Major Projects Coordinator. M.J. began her prosecution career in the District Attorney’s Office in Gilpin and Jefferson Counties, Colorado and returned to the jurisdiction to serve as a District Court Judge in Jefferson County, presiding over criminal, civil, family law, and dependency and neglect proceedings from 2006 to 2009. She was responsible for the creation and implementation of Jefferson County’s Controlled Substance Recovery Court. Subsequently, M.J. took a position as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado where she served for ten years, taking responsibility for prosecuting crimes involving national and international drug distribution and money laundering networks, and violent crimes. Currently, M.J. is the Executive Director at the CFSRE.

*Once you have completed all requirements for the webinar you will have access to your certificate for download. The webinar's content has been reviewed by the ABFT and ABC, and determined to be acceptable for submission to the ABFT or ABC for continuing education credit!

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