SUBJECT: Training Update 26-03 – Substitute Public Defender Requests: Avoiding Reversible Error
Colleagues,
I have just posted a new Minnesota Judicial Training Update (26-03) addressing a situation every judge and criminal practitioner eventually encounters:
QUESTION: When a Defendant demands a
SUBJECT: New Training Update: Out-of-State Convictions — A Sentencing Trap You Can’t Ignore
Dear Colleagues,
I’m sharing a new Martine Law Training Update addressing a deceptively common — and highly consequential — sentencing issue: how out-of-state convictions may (and may
Dear Colleagues,
Artificial intelligence is now a routine part of legal research—but courts are making it equally clear that delegating judgment to AI is not an option. Sanctions, fee-shifting, disciplinary referrals, and reputational damage are no longer theoretical risks when
SUBJECT: Martine Law Training Updates – Complete Recap (May–December 2025)
Dear Colleagues,
In the fast-paced worlds of criminal and family law, staying current on legal developments, courtroom procedure, and practical advocacy tools is essential. Since May 2025, the Martine Law
Dear Colleagues:
Are you confident your Minnesota “unable-to-recall” guilty pleas would survive appellate review?
A Norgaard plea applies when a defendant wants to plead guilty (often for a plea bargain) but can’t recall the events due to intoxication or amnesia—and
Dear Colleagues,
Attached is our newest Martine Law Training Update, titled:“WARRANTLESS ARRESTS & DETENTIONS: 36 & 48 Hour Rules”
This update focuses on one of the most fundamental — and often misunderstood — aspects of criminal procedure: Minnesota’s 36- and
Dear Colleaques,
Attached is our newest Martine Law Training Update, titled: “JUDICIAL & LEGAL WRITING: The Number One Rule for Improvement = CUTTING.”
There are many books and articles dedicated to improving legal writing. Unfortunately, in many of these materials,
Dear Colleagues,
Attached is our newest Martine Law Training Update, titled:“Prosecutorial Misconduct: 15 Categories Every Attorney and Judge Should Recognize and Avoid”
This is one of the most comprehensive training updates I have produced to date. At 23 pages, it
Dear Colleagues, in the fast-paced worlds of criminal and family law, staying current with recent legal developments, courtroom strategies, and practical tools is critical to effective advocacy. With hundreds of new attorneys, judges, and legal professionals joining our training distribution
Dear Colleagues,
Training Updates are designed to be short, concise, easy-to-read judicial tips that every judge and attorney should know. Because the majority of our 3500+ subscriber base consists of attorneys and judges, these training updates will continue to focus
