This training boils down the cumulative knowledge of experienced law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges into simple rules for testifying. While these skills are applicable to all testimony, this training emphasizes their application during DUI testimony. Once the fundamentals are established, the training takes the next step and presents introductory basic science on human decision making and how to best account for that science during testimony in a DUI case.

Human behavioral scientists have spent considerable time studying how humans make decisions. This training delves into how we make decisions, what triggers those decisions, and the ethically appropriate approaches law enforcement and prosecutors can make to put their best foot forward in the courtroom. While these skills are applicable to all testimony, this training emphasizes their application during DUI testimony.

This course is designed to train law enforcement officers and prosecutors on different indicators a person may display while administering SFSTs. Yancy Green will cover topics including three categories of Cannabis, how cannabis affects the human body, indicators of impairment, and indicators that are often overlooked while conducting a DUI investigation. Such a discussion will better equip both law enforcement officers and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute DUI-Cannabis cases.

This session will discuss how an officer becomes qualified as an expert witness for trial. Bureau Chief Harder will discuss the Daubert and Frye standards for collision reconstruction testimony and evidence along with best practices for presenting collision reconstruction testimony during trial. He will also discuss and what to expect from jurors. Finally, attendees will learn about scene investigation and how prosecutors and collision reconstruction experts work together at a vehicular crime scene to obtain all relevant evidence to present to a jury.

In early 2020, a Lincoln Police Officer responded to a call of an unconscious driver, who fire and medical personnel ultimately revived with Naloxone. The officer requested the assistance of a Drug Recognition Expert, and despite the driver now being sober, officers were able to establish probable cause to cite the driver for DUI. Through cooperation between the officers and the County Attorney’s office, many defense challenges were overcome and a conviction was obtained at a jury trial in a case where the evidence of impairment was little more than “Narcan worked.”

This session is intended to provide an update on projects related to and affecting the DRE program that are underway, as well as new offerings to help further ARIDE and DRE training. Additionally, it will provide updates on recent and pending Frye/Daubert Hearings regarding the DRE program. Finally, it will provide information on judicial and prosecutor training related to the DRE program.