CPCS Accepting applications for SDP (Sexually Dangerous Persons) Trial Panel
Join a panel where you are guaranteed Superior Court jury trials with experts in virtually every case*
Massachusetts is one of 20 states that has a sexually dangerous persons statute, G.L. c. 123A, which allows the government to keep individuals indefinitely confined in prison for something they MAY do in the future after their criminal sentence is completed, even though sex offenders have one of the lowest recidivism rates of all offenders.
Once an individual has completed a criminal sentence for a sex offense, the Commonwealth can petition to have him detained as a sexually dangerous person. The statute is a civil, regulatory statute that has been found constitutional only where due process protections of a jury trial and proof beyond a reasonable doubt are guaranteed.
The jury trials in Superior court usually last at least one week and often involve four or more experts and other witnesses. Expert testimony by psychologists about diagnoses, sexual recidivism and likelihood of reoffense are key components of every case.
Join a cadre of talented and successful jury trial attorneys. Training and mentoring will be provided.
Application forms are linked below and must be returned to [email protected] no later than April 5, 2024 to allow time for processing.
If accepted, you will be invited to complete the certification training by viewing videos in the comfort of your office or home and subsequently completing a one-day in-person practice training that will take place on Tuesday June 11, 2024 from 9am to 5pm in the CPCS Malden Office
For more information, contact Liz Elliott at 781-652-4324 or Rob Ploski at (617) 910-5827 or [email protected]
CLEs: Criminal Trials, YAD, Post-Conviction: 3.5; MHLD Trials – 2.5; YAD Appeals – 4 hours
*(By statute both the client and the Commonwealth have a right to jury by statute, so virtually every case is a jury trial)
LINKS TO APPLICATION FORMS BELOW: