2008-10-20

Prosecutorial Misconduct – A Focus Symposium at the University of La Verne

Who: Keynote Speaker: Associate Justice Carlos Moreno, California Supreme Court

Panelists:

· Grover Task, Former Riverside District Attorney

· Michael Mehas, Author of “Stolen Boy”

· James Blatt, Defense Attorney for Jesse James Hollywood

· Scott Hadly, Ventura County Star, he broke the Jesse James Hollywood story

· Sam Eaton, Attorney at Law, Santa Barbara, CA and former Los Angeles city prosecutor


Why: The University of La Verne, College of Law strives to educate its students, faculty, and the general public in understanding how the law fits into everyday life and in the media. The university sets up symposiums, discussions and events to achieve that goal.

What: On October 24, 2008 a panel will convene at the University of La Verne College of Law to discuss the ethics of law and the media. The symposium will focus on the case of Jesse James Hollywood v. The Superior Court of Santa Barbara, the California code of professional responsibility and other important cases that raise ethical issues.



The panel will discuss the ethics of media and the law and how media can play a substantial role in cases. The Jesse James Hollywood case was made into a feature film, “Alpha Dog” and a book “Stolenboy.” Attorney James Blatt represented Jesse James Hollywood, who was a drug dealer and allegedly ordered the death of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz.



Blatt alleges prosecutorial misconduct in the case and that his client can’t get a fair trial because prosecutor Ronald Zohen turned over his trial files, including confidential documents to the media for use in a movie and a book and acted as an unpaid consultant for the movie.



The California Supreme Court ultimately found no conflict of interest by Ronald Zonen mostly because he was not paid for his files or services.



The case presents a myriad of ethical questions which the panel will discuss.

*A lunch buffet and snacks will be available in the school’s dining hall. A $95 fee will apply for members of the CA bar for 4 units of MCLE credit on ethics plus a box lunch. RSVP with Cindy Gaytan, Events Coordinator at (909) 460-2018 or cgaytan@ulv.edu.

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When:

Friday, October 24, 2008

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Break

Noon – 2 p.m.


Where:

University of La Verne

Main Campus

1950 Third St.

La Verne, CA

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