2013 Spring Symposium

The Wake Forest Journal of Law and Policy will host a symposium, “Finality in Sentencing,” on Friday, April 5, in the Worrell Professional Center.

This symposium will bring together a range of legal scholars and practitioners exploring various aspects of sentencing, explained Symposium Editor Dylan Greenwood. Once a defendant has been through the criminal justice system and punished, is it really the end? Changes in sentencing law by Congress and the Supreme Court creates issues for those who have already been sentenced and an exploration of these issues shines light on how lawyers handle these changes and how prisoners are affected by them.

“The law of sentencing has been a growth area for over a generation now,” says Professor Ron Wright, faculty adviser for the symposium.  “It occupies much of the time and attention of practicing lawyers, and it drives criminal justice policy.

This lineup of speakers — among the most accomplished scholars and practicing attorneys in the field — will offer a big picture view of this field, according to Wright.
“Law students, practicing lawyers and judges, and anyone interested in sentencing policy will see their work in a new light after attending this event,” he said.
Participants include:

       Doug Berman, The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
       Frank Bowman, University of Missouri School of Law
       Lucian Dervan, Southern Illinois University School of Law
       Alan DuBois, Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Eastern District of N.C.
       Lea Johnston, University of Florida Levin College of Law
       Margaret Love, Practitioner and Former U.S. Pardon Attorney
       Meghan Ryan, SMU Dedman School of Law
       Ryan Scott, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
       Craig Watkins, District Attorney for Dallas County, Texas
       Russell Wilson, Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County, Texas
       Gordon Widenhouse (‘82), Rudolf, Widenhouse & Fialko

Schedule of Events

Time Speaker Topic  Location 
9:00-9:10am  Dean Blake Morant  Opening Remarks Room 1302
9:10-10:10am  Frank Bowman & Margaret Love  Systems Built to Allow Reconsideration  of Sentences Room 1302
10:10-10:50am  Craig Watkins & Russell Wilson  The Prosecutor and Reconsideration of  Sentences Room 1302
11:00-12:30pm  Doug Berman, Ryan Scott, & Gordan  Widenhouse  Retroactive Application of New  Sentencing Law Room 1302
12:30-2:00pm Lunch  at Autumn Room, Reynolda Hall
2:00-3:00pm  Lea Johnston & Meghan Ryan  How to Handle New Information About  the Offender Room 1312
3:00-4:00pm  Alan DuBois & Lucian Dervan  Sentencing Finality of Special  Categories of Offenders Room 1312

Check here for a more detailed schedule of events.

CLE credit for this event is pending.