How to Be a Better Plea Bargainer

Presenters:  

Andrea Kupfer Schneider, Director, Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution, Cardozo School of Law
Cynthia Alkon, Director of Criminal Law, Texas A&M University School of Law

While most CLEs focus on trial strategies, that it only a fraction of every criminal lawyer’s practice. Everyone must engage in plea bargaining, which is, by definition, a negotiation to reach agreement between the defense and prosecution to settle a criminal case. This CLE will focus on
a relatively easy strategy to increase your effectiveness as a plea bargainer – on either side - immediately: you can improve how you prepare for negotiation through having a negotiation checklist. We will focus on negotiation skills, why preparation matters in negotiation and how a
systemic model can be used.