FDSDI provides training programs for local criminal defense practitioners on all aspects of federal trial practice and federal substantive law throughout the year. These programs are free-of-charge and FDSDI is an approved provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits. Many program participants belong to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel, which consists of attorneys in private practice who are appointed to accept federal criminal cases in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

Throughout the spring, FDSDI invites the federal indigent defense community to a series of Saturday and weekday training sessions. FDSDI’s Saturday training sessions typically feature renowned criminal defense practitioners who lecture on federal criminal trial practice. Weekday sessions tend to cover new developments in federal law or focus on discreet areas of federal criminal practice and procedure.

FDSDI’s Annual Criminal Justice Act Seminar is generally held each fall and attendance is required for all attorneys seeking initial appointment to the CJA Panel in the Southern District of California. Presentations include: district court and magistrate court judges speaking on practice in federal court, CJA panel attorneys speaking on CJA practices and procedures, and FDSDI attorneys providing substantive federal law updates. The agenda and registration information are posted on our website approximately one month before the seminar.